Gwent Police are appealing for information after three of their emergency response vehicles were vandalised in Bettws in the space of just eight days.
The first criminal damage occurred at around 3.15 pm on Tuesday 30th June when a marked response car was damaged after a rock was reportedly thrown at it.
The second incident occurred between 8.15 pm and 9.30 pm on Wednesday, 8th July.
Two marked response cars were damaged after rocks were reportedly thrown at the vehicles.
No police officers were injured in the incidents.
Each vehicle had to be taken out of service following the incidents meaning that anyone in the area who might require life-saving police assistance could experience an extended delay in officers responding to their call for help.
The cost of repairing the police cars will be picked up by local taxpayers.
Sergeant Phil Welti, of the Newport west neighbourhood policing team, said:
“This type of anti-social behaviour has huge ramifications for Gwent Police and our communities. These mindless acts of vandalism mean that three of our cars, all of which are response vehicles, are out of action.
“Our capacity to respond to emergency calls in Newport and the surrounding force area is diminished, until these vehicles are deemed roadworthy and safe to be used again by our officers.
“Away from the impact on our ability to respond to crime, these vehicles will need to be repaired, and this will have a wider impact on resourcing.
“Our officers will be on patrol in the Bettws area as they have received further reports of anti-social behaviour occurring.
“We are now in the process of making enquiries to trace the offenders and are reviewing CCTV in the area.”
Anyone with information about this incident or has CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting log references 2000231266 or 2000242165.
You can also contact the force via social media on Facebook and Twitter, and you can report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If you have a story you want to tell, or video you want to share, send it to Emergency Services News via contact@emergency-services.news
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