Cars targeted as louts go on a rampage of vandalism

12:34pm Friday 18th July 2008

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A gang has tried to stamp its mark on a town by setting light to one car and throwing paint stripper over several others.

Residents in Newhaven spoke of their anger yesterday morning after a scorched car was discovered along with almost a dozen vehicles damaged with paint stripper stolen from the town’s secondary school.

Some were daubed with the lettering GUC, the initials of the gang God’s Unwanted Children.

Sussex Police said a group going by the same name was involved in a string of incidents last year but had not reared its head for about 12 months.

A new wave of youths is believed to have taken over the gang and set about trying to make a name for themselves. The members have been exchanging messages using the internet networking website Bebo and using it to goad rival gangs and attempt to set up fights.

Some of the teenagers involved have tried to set up mass brawls with youths in Brighton. Police have had to intervene on several occasions to stop the fights between pupils at Longhill High in Brighton and Peacehaven Community School.

Peggy Jackson, 68, of Lewry Close, Newhaven, was furious yesterday after discovering parts of her car melted where the gang had tried to set it alight.

She said: “They think they can get away with anything but they can’t.”

Hers was one of a number of cars in Valley Road, Lewry Close, Chestnut Way and Ash Walk to be vandalised.

Mrs Jackson said it was the latest of several incidents of vandalism, including one where someone smashed her bulldog-shaped garden ornament.

Sgt Graeme Ross, from Sussex Police, said the force believed the new attacks had been made while the gang were on their way somewhere.

He said: “These were random attacks, they were not targeted at anyone in particular and they follow a route.”

He said there had been a break-in at a temporary building at Tideway School, in Southdown Road, overnight on Wednesday and cans of paint stripper had been stolen. He added that forensics officers were checking surfaces and it was believed fingerprints could be used to identify the culprits.

Mrs Jackson said empty cans of paint stripper had been discovered in the streets where the cars were damaged. Sgt Ross said the force believed the burglary and the vandalism attacks were linked.

He said police had suspects but were continuing to investigate. Any witnesses and anyone who heard a group in the streets around the area or has other information should call PC Matt Holt on 0845 6070999.

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