Taxi driver hit by car crime says police refuse to look at CCTV footagePOLICE have refused to view CCTV that could show a taxi driver's car being daubed with paint-stripper.
Peter Nilsson's car will cost £400 to repair after it was vandalised outside his home in west Hull on Monday night.
It was parked close to an operational CCTV camera.
However, officers said they cannot justify watching hours of footage because of the "current climate".
Mr Nilsson, 41, said: "It is absolutely ridiculous.
"They left me a message saying they were not prepared to look at more than four hours of CCTV and, as far as they were concerned, the investigation was over.
"I feel completely let down by the police."
Mr Nilsson left his car parked outside his home in Boothferry Road just after 9pm on Monday. He saw the damage when he returned to it at 9.30am on Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said the decision not to view the footage was made after "careful consideration".
However, Mr Nilsson said he received a message from police saying they would not be viewing the CCTV less than two hours after he reported the crime on Tuesday morning.
He said: "How can that be careful consideration? I reported it as soon as I saw what had happened.
"At first, I was upset about the damage to my car, but I soon became angry with the police. I haven't even spoken to a police officer and nobody has come to view the damage.
"They have just fobbed me off with a crime number and are letting what has happened gone unpunished. "This will have happened right in front of the camera.
"I know the video quality might not be good enough to see who it is, but they could at least have looked at it to check. Does this apply to everything? What happens if you are away for a night and your house is burgled?
"The person who has done this to my car is probably thinking that it was a laugh and nothing has happened to them because of it."
A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "The incident in question is reported to have taken place within a 17 hour period.
"While it is possible that CCTV footage may have been able to provide further detail to progress the investigation, without an indication of even the approximate time of when it happened, a decision was made, after careful consideration, not to dedicate resources to reviewing such a lengthy recording.
"In the current climate the reality is that judgement must be applied to make decisions which are justifiable and proportionate."
Mr Nilsson called police again on Wednesday after finding graffiti on a nearby metal bin, which appeared to have been done using paint-stripper.
The police spokesman said: "Investigations are continuing into this case, following some further information being brought to our attention. Assurance is given that this will be followed up promptly."
Anyone with information about the damage is asked to call Humberside Police on 101, quoting the crime reference number DU1903225.
source:
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