SOMEONE is going round with an airgun or catapult shooting at homes and businesses in Barry in what the police are calling an act of "mindless vandalism".
Last week we reported how local window cleaner John Viney had claimed Barry is being “shot up” as it descends into a “wild west town”.
Mr Viney showed us a number of photos of windows of businesses in Holton Road with tiny holes in them - believed to be caused by pellets.
Originally South Wales Police told us it had received no reports of vandalism of this kind - but now the force has confirmed it is investigating, with the culprit or culprits believed to be using a catapult or air weapon.
Inspector Mark Henderson, from Barry Police Station, said: “We are investigating numerous incidents of criminal damage in Barry this month.
“Businesses, homes, and vehicles have unfortunately had their windows smashed in acts of mindless vandalism.
“Being a victim of criminal damage is upsetting, costly and an inconvenience for those who must arrange and pay for repairs.
“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to arrest those responsible and we have a positive line of enquiry as a result of some CCTV footage.
“Please be reassured we are doing all we can to put a stop to these incidents.”
Bullet holes have been appearing on shop fronts in Barry
Local window cleaner John Viney noticed the holes
‘Barry’s become a wild west town’
While getting on with his day job cleaning windows, John Viney, 71, noticed what looked like a tiny bullet hole in one of the windows he was cleaning.
As Mr Viney moved on to his next job, he noticed another tiny hole.
Now, Mr Viney is calling Barry a “wild west town” as more of these mysterious 'bullet' holes have appeared on shop fronts along Holton Road.
“The wild west town of Barry is being shot up,” said Mr Viney.
“It started about three weeks ago. I noticed four of my shops have these bullet holes. I think they are ball bearings or pellets.
“We need this stopped. It’s an inconvenience for everyone, the shop owner and me. I turn up to clean the windows and cannot clean the glass because of these holes.”
Mr Viney says Barry's become the 'wild west'
Police think it may be done by a catapult
Stores to have been hit include Beauty Rooms, the pub next door The Buck, and the popular Caesar’s Café.
Duty therapist Bethan Cairns said her and staff noticed the 'bullet hole' appear just after the Easter weekend.
The Buck is having to fork out £120 to repair their window.
Owner Genine Taylor lamented, “it’s not even that big a window and it’s costing me that much.”
Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact South Wales Police quoting reference number 2300103316.
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