Date: 9/2/07
Author:
Source: North West Evening Mail

THESE are some of the yobs who have been caught in the act of causing mayhem on the streets.

Police in Ulverston have used mobile covert cameras as a new tactic to catch thugs committing criminal damage against cars and property.

The hidden spy cameras — which can be located in different trouble spots in any town — caught these three youths red-handed in the act of damaging cars.

Two were subsequently fined by a court and a warrant was issued for the arrest of the third after he failed to appear at Furness Magistrates’ Court.

Inspector Richard Vernon of Ulverston police says the camera evidence was vital in the prosecution of the three young men damaging cars in the Sunderland Terrace area early on December 31.

The video footage shows a group of youths running alongside cars, kicking and punching wing mirrors.

Insp Vernon explained: “The case included video evidence where they were seen to walk past a line of parked cars. Each of the three individuals at different stages kicked or punched car wing mirrors.

“Three vehicles were damaged but other vehicles had their wing mirrors kicked out of position. It was an incident of mindless damage.

“A local resident called the police and they were arrested nearby. The video evidence confirmed each one was involved in causing the damage.

“Just because people think they are not being watched by the Ulverston CCTV town cameras doesn’t mean to say other cameras might not be in position.”

The three captured in the covert camera operation were Daniel Lee Walden, 18, and James George Lancaster, 19, both from Park Avenue, Swarthmoor. They pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage at Furness Magistrates’ Court on January 11 and were each fined £120 with £30 costs.

Ian David Clifford Warburton, 19, of Mold, in Clywdd, also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage along with a string of other charges.

But he failed to appear at Furness Magistrates’ Court yesterday and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

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