Residents of the municipality of Gosselies in the Hainaut province, Wallonia, had an unpleasant end to their year. Locals discovered on Saturday morning (New Year’s Eve) that at least 80 vehicles had been scratched with a boxcutter, RTL Info reports.
“We were woken up on Saturday morning by a neighbour who came to tell us that all the vehicles on the street had been damaged by a cutter. The whole side of the car, as well as the bonnet, were damaged, and quite deeply,” one local resident told the media.
So far, the police have reported that 26 vehicles were damaged, but according to local residents, the figure is nearer to 80. “It’s really right down to the bodywork. It’s not just the paint,” another victim decried. “Starting the year like this is not easy. There’s still time for repairs.”
The victims have no idea why their cars would be targeted. The incident appears to be a random act of vandalism, albeit on a massive scale. This type of vandalism is not always covered by insurance. Only a few major insurers offer protection against such damages.
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“For my car, there is more or less between €2,500 and €3,500 of damage. There are more or less seven parts to replace- it’s huge,” another resident said.
The police have advised those who are affected to file a complaint. The suspect is rumoured to have been identified, but neither the police or the prosecutor have confirmed this. If prosecuted, the suspect could be ordered to pay compensation for all the damage caused.
