There's been several articles about this in the past few days. These are the main two, and below are the official Humberside Police news releases about the arrests and charges.
There's videos of two incidents on the Grimsby Telegraph's website (one with each article), but not that much to see, and by the time it loads, and adverts etc get in the way, it's all over, and you need to reload the whole page to start the video again
The still images below are each from the videos, and to be honest there's not much more to see on the actual videos in view of the effort involved
Grimsby taxi drivers lose hundreds in earnings during busiest time of year in 'soul-destroying' crime spreehttps://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news ... ds-8000531'It's soul-destroying because it's our busiest time of year'Taxi drivers in Grimsby say they have lost hundreds of pounds in earnings during their busiest time of year after their vehicles were broken into over Christmas.
Many workers, who are all self-employed, have reported similar incidents in which their driver's side windows have been smashed in by a suspect on a bike, who was captured on CCTV footage outside their homes.
Drivers say more than 20 of them were affected, but not all of them reported the incidents to Humberside Police.
One driver who did report the incident to the police, Andrew Jones, had left his home on Wellowgate on Christmas morning and was about to deliver his grandchildren's presents when he discovered what had happened. He branded the incident "mindless vandalism" after the suspect made off without taking anything.
He said: "I was just like, 'Jesus Christ, of all days, on Christmas morning'. I didn't let it bother me too much but I was upset because I had quite a bit to do, I had to drive to Sheffield that morning as well. There was nothing in my glovebox so it was just mindless vandalism hoping I'd left some money under my seat or something."
Another driver, Christopher, who also lives in Grimsby, said he had his taxi broken into on Boxing Day morning shortly after 2.40am, according to a neighbour's CCTV footage. He said that because of the time taken and cost to repair his smashed window, he lost over £400 in earnings - and the suspect only took 30p in copper change.
He told Grimsby Live: "To us, it's a business, it's not just a car. It's soul-destroying because Christmas is our busiest time of year and I know what the potential earnings are. It was a crime spree - it happened to over 20 drivers.
"I got up at 6am on Boxing Day to go to work and when I opened the curtains I could see straight away that the window had been broken. I was p***ed off about it and I had to wake the wife up and tell the wife so she was the same. So it ruined Christmas a bit.
"I lost over £400 in earnings. We can't claim that back from anywhere because we're self-employed, so we've lost it."
Another taxi driver, who lives in Scartho, said a suspect attempted to break into his car just 15 minutes into Christmas Day.
He said: "I've got one of those Ring doorbells and my wife heard the tinkle of the ring and she told me someone was looking round my car. She turned the hallway light on and with that, he took off on his bike. He had a hat and a scarf round his face."
He explained how when he drove his car the following day and wound his window down, it smashed because the suspect "had done something to [his] window".
"I sent the film to the police and apparently it's not enough because they can't see his face."
Inspector Tom Stevens, Neighbourhood Policing Commander for the local area, said the force is investigating the reports of theft from motor vehicles over Christmas and New Year and that enquiries are ongoing, including scouring CCTV footage.
He said: "Members of the community can expect to see targeted, high visibility patrolling in the areas along with follow-up visits to all victims to ascertain any possible outstanding lines of enquiry.
“We understand how intrusive break-ins to property and vehicles can be, especially when that vehicle is crucial to a person’s business and the subsequent financial impact.
“We dedicate a large percentage of our resources to tackling burglary and theft related crimes, and I would like to appeal to people to report crimes like this to us to enable us to gain a true picture of what is occurring in our communities.
“Items that you may not class as valuable may be seen so by others, so we would recommend removing from sight as many items as possible to deter opportunist criminals.
“I would urge anyone with information in relation to these crimes to please contact us on 101, quoting 22*115064. If you wish to pass the information anonymously, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“I would also like to ask people to please call us – or speak to my colleagues in the community – if you see something suspicious. It might help apprehend someone or provide that missing piece of key information that helps secure a conviction.”
Taxi drivers 'sitting ducks' after more cars broken intohttps://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news ... er-8011468'It's got to be over 40 cars now'Taxi drivers across Grimsby and Cleethorpes say they feel like sitting ducks whose car windows will be put through at any point amid a spate of break-ins and thefts in the area.
Over the weekend, several more drivers reported that their vehicles were broken into, following an estimated 30 incidents of a similar nature which took place over Christmas and New Year.
One taxi driver, who lives on the Willows Estate in Grimsby, said he woke up on Sunday morning (January
and was about to drive to watch his son play football when he found his vehicle had been "ransacked", causing hundreds of pounds' worth of damage and a significant loss in earnings.
He told Grimsby Live: "I knew what's been going on and we're just sitting ducks - I knew my windows would be put through at some point, but it doesn't soften the blow. I woke up on Sunday morning and he'd put through two quarter panels, had ransacked the vehicle, opened the glovebox and chucked everything everywhere.
"Obviously he didn't get anything because taxi drivers are aware of what's going on and nothing valuable was on display, but he caused a few hundreds' pounds worth of damage."
Image: Grimsby TelegraphThe driver, along with others who reported similar incidents over Christmas, said they believe the suspect to be the same person after multiple videos and images of the incidents captured on CCTV show a man riding a "distinctive" bike.
He continued: "I've now lost around £300 to £400 and in today's climate, everyone's doing what they can to earn a living and you've got some little s****e who thinks it's OK to damage your property. He must know the impact it has on families. It makes you wonder if he wants to get caught. It's got to be over 40 cars he's broken into now."
Image: Grimsby TelegraphIn response to the reported break-ins and thefts, a spokesperson for Humberside Police said that one person has been arrested in connection with a recent incident, and remains in police custody.
However, the force is still continuing their investigation into the taxi break-ins and say it is leaving "no stone unturned".
Inspector Tom Stevens said: “As part of our ongoing investigations into reports of thefts from motor vehicles in the Grimsby area, we can confirm that last night we arrested one man in connection with a recent incident. The man remains in our custody at this time pending further enquiries.
“We are also continuing investigations into reports of thefts from motor vehicles involving taxis. We have reviewed all the reports and we are speaking with taxi drivers in the area to provide assistance and advice, working closely with them and leaving no stone unturned as we explore absolutely every line of enquiry.
“We understand the impact these crimes can have on people, especially those who rely on vehicles for their businesses as taxi drivers do. We recognise the important service that taxi drivers provide members of our communities and know how damaging these incidents can be to their businesses.
“We are working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and are exceptionally keen to work alongside taxi drivers and members of the public, to be able to hold those to account for their actions.
“As part of our ongoing investigations, we are scouring CCTV footage of the areas around the times of the reported incidents and we would like to thank those who have sent us CCTV, your assistance may well prove vital in our investigations."
Inspector Stevens said the force believes vehicles are being targeted for specific reasons, including money being left on display.
He continued: “Whilst no one should feel worried about leaving their vehicles parked on a street, with the latest information we have, we would appeal to everyone to please make sure no items are left on display, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
“Items that some may not class as valuable may be seen so by others, and we would ask that as many items as possible are removed from sight to deter opportunist criminals.
“We would continue to appeal to anyone who may have information, or anyone else who has footage that may be of assistance to our enquiries, to please get in touch with us. You can contact us on 101, quoting 22*115064.”
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