Police are appealing for witnesses after a parking dispute in Southend escalated into an act of criminal damage.
Officers are investigating an incident that took place at around 11.20pm on Saturday, 8 February, when two people in a black Seat car became embroiled in a dispute with the driver of a grey Nissan Micra in West Street, Southend.
According to reports, the argument was around a parking disagreement on West Street. The people in the Seat car decided to leave, and drive away.
However, things took a turn when the Micra driver began following the Seat, tailing it until both cars reached the traffic lights at the Blue Boar junction, where West Street meets Victoria Avenue.
It was at this junction that the situation took a twist. The Micra driver was reported to have stepped out of his car, brandishing a knife, and proceeded to slash one of the Seat’s tyres before fleeing the scene.
Police appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage
Essex Police are now urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage to come forward.
If you have any relevant information, you can submit a report via the Essex Police website or use their online Live Chat service, which is available 24/7. Alternatively, you can call 101 and quote crime reference 42/18191/24 to ensure the information reaches the correct team swiftly.
Parking challenges in West Street and Westborough
The incident has reignited discussions about parking frustrations in West Street and the wider Westborough area. Many residents struggle to find spaces near their homes, with some resorting to placing cones or bins in the road to ‘reserve’ spots.
One local resident said:
“It’s an absolute nightmare trying to park around here. People block driveways all the time, and it leads to tensions between neighbours and drivers just trying to find somewhere to stop.”
While disputes over parking are not uncommon in the area, this violent escalation is serious and police are determined to find the suspect responsible.