Four arrested after trail of damage and assaults across East Surrey (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Four arrested after trail of damage and assaults across East Surrey

12:46pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Local News

A restaurant window in Reigate was smashed while diners were inside and two men were attacked amid a trail of damage and assaults across East Surrey.

Police arrested two men and two teenagers after the spate of yobbish attacks and criminal damage, which also took in Horley, Smallfield and Capel.

The incidents took place last Saturday evening (January 5), when a vehicle, believed to be a red 4x4, was seen being driven around the area with the occupants throwing projectiles from it.

At 6.30pm, the front window of a restaurant in Western Parade, Reigate, was smashed while customers dined inside. Some 90 minutes later, a man in his 20s was attacked with stones after yobs broke into an outbuilding in Horsham Road, Capel. The man suffered injuries to his head, jaw, arm and abdomen, in the assault, and was taken to hospital for treatment. And at 8.50pm, the back window of a black Ford Ka was smashed by a projectile as it travelled along Lee Street in Horley. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but about £200 worth of damage was caused. About ten minutes later, a man in his 40s, who was cycling along Chapel Road in Smallfield, was injured when an object thrown from a vehicle hit him and caused bruising to his lower back.

He needed treatment from ambulance paramedics. Investigating officer Detective Constable Paul Thomas from Reigate CID, said: “I would urge anyone who saw the offenders and the vehicle they were using in the area to come forward and provide officers with information, as this was a traumatic incident for those involved.” Det Con Thomas said: “Thankfully incidents of this nature are rare in Surrey and we will do all we can to keep the county a safe place to live and visit by bringing those responsible to justice.” Officers from several units, including uniformed patrols and roads policing, carried out an extensive search of the areas when the reports came in. Two 15-year-old boys, a 21-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of two counts of assault, criminal damage and going equipped. A Surrey Police spokesman said they have been released on police bail until Wednesday, February 13, while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is being urged to call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference MV/13/66, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.