Ball bearings fired through windows as ‘incredibly distressing’ attacks target Bransgore again

BALL bearings were fired through windows of at least two homes in a New Forest village which has been plagued by such attacks.

Responding to the latest incidents, both on Stibbs Way in Bransgore, police urged any other victims to come forward, acknowledging these were “incredibly distressing”.

A ball bearing pellet was found near the damaged window in the first of these, on New Year’s Eve.

The second offence shattered a conservatory window sometime between 5.10pm and 6.15pm Monday 13th January.

Nearly two years ago, a spate of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, including ball bearings fired at buildings and vehicles from catapults, prompted villagers to call for more police action.

Dozens attended public meetings with local officers, when extra CCTV coverage was promised.

At the time, incidents culminating in alleged damage and assault at the Co-op on Betsy Lane had seen police activate a 48-hour dispersal order.

One Thorney Hill resident, whose car had been shot at multiple times, told the A&T at one of the meetings she felt the area was “forgotten”.

The resurgence of such attacks sparked fears online, with the most recent victim warning the incident could have had devastating consequences.

“My partner was on a ladder cleaning my gutters, if that had happened then it would have hit him in the back of the head and quite possibly not been here now – my glass is toughened and it’s shattered it,” she posted online.

“What the hell are these people thinking, I have my grandchildren playing in my garden and I myself out there too, and the speed these things are fired it’s only a matter of time till this ‘petty crime’ becomes a lot more serious and they kill someone.”

Police investigating the latest offences are urging people to come forward if they saw any suspicious activity.

New Forest West Insp. Darren Ord said: “Such incidents are incredibly distressing for victims, and I totally understand the concern they also cause within the wider community.

“Anyone found to be causing criminal damage to property in our area, whether with or without ball bearing pellets, will be dealt with accordingly and face the consequences of their actions.

“Local officers will continue to carry out proactive patrols in the area concerned, so please come and speak to them when you see them.

“They’ll be happy to stop and answer your questions, listen to your concerns and share further advice.”

Officers also want to hear from anyone who may have captured any useful CCTV, dash cam, doorbell camera or mobile phone camera footage.

Get in touch online via hampshire.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference 44250018187.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.

Those who have experienced similar incidents but are yet to report them should call 101 at the earliest opportunity.