Car park targeted by criminals for second time in two weeks

Residents were shocked to find approximately 15 cars damaged on the top floor of the Asda car park on St Pauls Road this morning (October 7).

The cars were found with their windows smashed and shattered glass around each vehicle at the Asda car park.

It is understood that the vehicles belonged to ‘We Buy Any Car’.

A Bronze Nissan Qashqai, white Seat Leon, black Kia Soul, grey BMW three series, green Mini Cooper S, purple Ford Fiesta, grey Volkswagen Polo, grey Mercedes C-class and a silver Mercedes B-class are among the vehicles affected.

David, manager at We Buy Any Car, said: "It's just a big inconvenience and we are taking extra security measures to stop this from happening again.

"It also puts a strain on customers because it delays the process and smashed cars will put people off buying the cars."

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We received a report at around 4.30am that a number of vehicles - believed to be around 15 in total - had sustained damage to their windows and appeared to have been broken into in the upper level of the car park at Asda on St Paul's Road in Bournemouth.

“Officers are carrying out enquiries into the matter, no arrests have been made at this time.”

This is the second criminal damage report that officers have received in the space of two weeks at the popular car park.

On October 1 earlier this year, five cars were damaged in the same area.

At the time of the incident, A spokeswoman for the regional force said: “We received a report at around 8.35am on Tuesday 1 October 2024 of criminal damage to car windows in the car park at Asda in St Pauls Road in Bournemouth.

“It is reported that five cars were damaged.

“Enquiries will be carried out into the report.

“No arrests have been made.”

As a result of the incident, all affected cars are being moved out of the area by emergency transport. 

Dorset Police have said that there is not a confirmed link between the two incidents at this time.