Man, 70, is arrested by neighbours over slashed car tyres

POLICE have quizzed a 70-year-old man over suspected tyre slashing after residents made a citizen's arrest.

Officers from the Staffordshire force then arrived to arrest the pensioner early on Wednesday morning following a spate of car crime in Sneyd Green.

He had been detained by homeowners who were keeping a close eye on incidents involving criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the area.

The man, who is believed to live in Sneyd Green, has now been released on police bail until October 27 pending further enquiries.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Terence Andrews, who lives in Sneyd Street, Sneyd Green, said there has been a spate of car tyres being slashed in the past month.

Mr Andrews, aged 50, said he had spotted a man slashing the tyres on a number of occasions.

So, on Wednesday morning, Mr Andrews decided to catch the suspect in the act.

The former self-employed HGV driver said: "I saw him walk past the house and up the road on to Buxton Street so I followed him keeping well behind him.

"I saw him stab the tyres of a Ford Ka and then he walked up to Hanley Road then back down Sneyd Street.

"When he turned into Granville Avenue I approached him and told him he was under citizen's arrest.

"He asked 'what for?' and I said 'criminal damage to cars in Buxton Street'.

"He started to walk off, but I put my hands up and told him again that he was under arrest.

"Then the police arrived and took him to the station."

Mr Andrews's neighbour Anthony Dugmore was also involved in apprehending the suspect. Mr Dugmore, aged 43, had the two tyres on his car slashed three weeks ago. He said: "I was up on the computer when I saw the man walk past my house, shortly followed by Terry. Then, a few minutes later, they walked past the other way so I went out.

"Terry had already called the police, so we just waited for them to arrive."

The Sentinel revealed earlier this month that Terence and his wife, Jeanette, are in the process of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch group and have been in contact with neighbours who are in support of the idea.

A police spokesman said: "We received a call at around 5.45am reporting a man puncturing tyres in the Sneyd Green area.

"Patrols were sent out and the informant followed and stopped the man, at which point he was picked up on CCTV.

"A 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and was taken to the Northern Area custody facility in Etruria where he was interviewed.

"The incident will be thoroughly investigated."

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