Vandals armed with tacks and screws have struck in a Moray neighbourhood – again.
Police are urging New Elgin residents to be vigilant after reports that the sharp objects had been laid in the middle of the road and at junctions.
It is not the first time vandals have struck in the area – with carpet tacks repeatedly scattered across Anderson Drive in 2015, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
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Despite numerous police appeals and door-to-door canvassing, the culprit has never been caught.
Now residents in nearby Robertson Drive, Bezack Street, Meadow Crescent and Murray Street have been sent notices from police, warning that the culprits have struck again.
Sergeant Julie Britton said: “Leaving tacks on the road, whether deliberately or otherwise is extremely irresponsible and creates a hazard for all road users.
“I would ask anyone who has ever seen unusual activity in the area over the last few weeks to pass this on to us, even if it seemed of little note at the time.”
One worried Meadow Crescent resident, who did not wish to be named, said hoped that this time, police would catch the offender.
“It’s awful to hear that it is happening again,” he said. “Hopefully something gets done about it this time and a culprit it caught.”
An Anderson Drive resident described the damage to his car after the last spate of incidents, and warned others to be on the lookout.
“I got two punctures in my car – you never see the tack until it happens.
“I went to get the tyres fixed and the mechanic handed me back a huge carpet tack that was in the tyre.”
Elgin City South councillor John Divers, who lives nearby, slammed the culprits for their “idiotic” actions.
He said: “This is a long-standing issue. There is obviously an idiot out there who has no consideration for the lives of people if something awful happens as a result of what they have put on the road.
“Anything could happen if a tyre blows out on the street and there are pedestrians walking in the area at the time. A lot of children walk in the area on their way to school.
“This person clearly has no consideration for them or anyone else in the area.”
Council leader Graham Leadbitter, who also represents the Elgin City South ward, added: “It’s incredibly disturbing that there continues to be an issue with tacks and screws being left.
“This has can be potentially dangerous and already has been very costly for residents.
“It’s an ongoing menace and I’m very frustrated that these crimes are happening again.
“The police and community safety warden are working hard to ID the culprits and I urge residents to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.”
