Former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley has urged Suffolk Police to dedicate proper resources to solving a series of Christmas decoration vandalism crimes.
Speaking to GB News, Bleksley expressed concern that PC Stephen Lant might be investigating the case alone.
A total of 11 crimes targeting Christmas decorations occurred across Suffolk between December 5 and 6.
Multiple homes in Combs, Great Finborough, Battisford and Stanningfield were targeted by men wearing balaclavas.
Peter Bleksley has called on Suffolk Police to invest in the Suffolk Scrooge case amid a rise in ‘low level’ crime
GB News / Suffolk Police
The former detective highlighted potential forensic opportunities from CCTV footage showing one perpetrator without gloves while reaching for Christmas lights.
“Now I firmly believe that virtually every crime is solvable, but it all depends on the resources that you apply to it,” Bleksley said.
Bleksley warned that seemingly minor crimes could lead to more serious offences if left unchecked.
“People creeping alongside the outside wall of people’s houses, interfering with things that are attached to their houses makes me think, what next?” he said.
Police have released CCTV footage of the ‘Suffolk Scrooge’ following the spree of crimes
Suffolk Police
The former detective strongly rejected dismissive terms like “low level” and “petty” crime. He advocated for the Broken Windows Theory approach to policing.
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“If you deal with criminality that people don’t think is serious – graffiti, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, you can really nip in the bud a lot of criminality,” Bleksley explained.
Based on CCTV evidence, Bleksley noted the suspects appear to be young male adults.
“The CCTV footage that I’ve seen, these appear to be young male adults. That would appear to be quite clear,” he told GB News.
“To see to see people arrested and thrown into the police station for this would be a Christmas cracker,” he added.
Peter Bleksley told GB News that there could possibly be ‘forensic evidence’ for police to investigate
GB News
Suffolk Police believe the incidents are linked but have made no arrests.
PC Simon Lant said: “Why someone decided to carry out this period of mindless vandalism is not clear but it has brought hurt, as well as a financial cost, to many residents in the area.”
The attacks have deprived residents and visitors of “the colour and joy that these lights bring to people, young and old,” he added.
Police have urged residents with CCTV or doorbell cameras to review footage between 5pm and the early hours of December 6.
