A RESIDENT on a Monk Bretton street claims they are facing a mini crime wave, involving arson, burglaries and vandalism.
Brettas Park resident Glen Frost said problems have been steadily increasing in recent months.
Things came to a head for 63-year-old Glen when he was away in Newcastle and returned home to discover his work van had been set on fire.
CCTV footage shows a man pouring liquid onto the van’s windscreen and tyres before attempting to light it with a lighter.
Glen said: “It was 1am and you can see a car going up the street, but the brake lights are on so you can’t ID the number plate.
“Two girls walk up and are very interested in looking into my yard. Within three minutes they’re gone and a lad comes out wearing a grey tracksuit top and bottom.
“He tips petrol on my wipers and tyres, kneels and tries using a lighter to set it going. The second time he gives it a go it blows him four feet away so he probably has burnt hands.
“The girls then came back and watched the fire. I’ve got it all on two lots of cameras and on the fire engine footage too.
“The firefighters did a wonderful job, keeping my tools safe from the back of the van. I took them a pack of lager to say thank you.”
Glen said the incident comes after two others in Monk Bretton recently, where petrol was poured on vehicles’ windscreen wipers.
“I don’t owe anyone any money. I’m clean as a whistle and well known for paying people. I don’t know why they targeted me with this. Your mind goes scatty thinking if they are going to come back.
“I’ve had sleepless nights since and been sat up with my baseball bat ready in case they do.
“There have been three or four burglaries on our street where they have been nicking the keys for cars, all around my house. I have the lights on and top security and they still targeted me.”
Glen said the fire cost him £6,000 in damage to the van, which was written off. But if it wasn’t for the swift action of the fire service it could have cost him treble that if his tools had been destroyed.
“We also have a lot of vandalism up here too because of the public footpath which runs nearby. They smash garden ornaments, take pots and break them further down the road and at least ten cars have been targeted and broken into along the full length of our street within the last six months. We are having our own mini crime wave down here,” Glen said.
Chairman of Barnsley Neighbourhood Watch John Hallows said he was in the process of working with Brettas Park residents to set up their own watch scheme.
John said: “They have had the local police involved and I believe the problems started in late autumn.
“I have been to a few meetings with residents now about it. There are really serious problems and some residents, even though they are much younger than myself, are fearful of leaving their homes. There are grave concerns, particularly after some of the homes have been burgled too.”
A police spokeswoman said: “At around 2.10am on January 14 it was reported a van parked outside of an address on Brettas Park, Barnsley, had been set alight.
“Damage was caused to the van in the incident.
“An investigation is currently ongoing and anyone with information is asked to report it via either 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting investigation number 14/16260/18.”
Glen is offering a £500 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the prosecution of the person responsible.
