An elderly couple, Ken and Dianne Lott, both 81, returned home from a weekend trip to the Isle of Wight to a distressing scene: a key had been glued into their front door lock and what they describe as ‘manure’ had been shoved through their letterbox.
The latest incident comes after their home was also targeted last May when their cars were doused with paint thinner, rendering one vehicle beyond repair and the other needing extensive repairs.
To compound their woes, black paint was sprayed over all the car windows and construction foam injected into the exhaust pipes.
The Lotts, who live on Main Road in Hockley, believe the same individual is responsible for both recent and past acts of vandalism, having compared home CCTV images. They insist that they do not recognise the person responsible.
The motive behind these targeted attacks remains a mystery to the family, who are now appealing to the community for information to identify the perpetrator.
Expressing their frustration, Ken and Dianne stated, “We have no idea why we’re being targeted like this.”
They are urging anyone with other relevant CCTV footage or dash cam recordings from the area to come forward and assist Essex Police in their investigation.
The suspect has so far remained unknown.
Detectives are now actively seeking leads and encourage witnesses to submit any evidence via the Essex Police website’s digital reporting platform or through the Live Chat service, available round the clock.
Alternatively, you can contact Essex Police directly at 101, quoting crime reference number 42/18551/25 when providing information to ensure prompt attention to the case.
Most people are assuming the unknown criminal is a woman, purely based on their outward appearance but I am almost certain it’s a man in disguise (including wig and glasses). It’s the absolute perfect disguise to use in such vendetta style repeated crimes, to try and fool the security cameras. The body language, facial features and splayed feet when they walk are a real giveaway. The fact they are using paint stripper and the way they are applying it. Also, putting the cap of the Superglue in their mouth before squirting it in the front door lock. They have put excrement/manure through the letterbox. Black paint was sprayed over all the car windows and construction foam injected into the exhaust pipes. All these things are more male behaviours. This person is clearly very short in height which to me is the only possible confusion. Even if you don’t agree with me, please at least keep an open mind, as why else have they not been recognised by now? I am wondering if they may live in any local sheltered housing style place.
In my opinion this id far too much vandalism to be carried out without reason.
The perp must be known to the victims.
Highly unlikely its a question of mistaken identity.