Attackers throw paint on cars in parking war

IC Wales
Anna Hammond, South Wales Echo

Cars have been splattered with paint and had their tyres slashed in apparent revenge attacks on motorists parking in residential streets.
White paint was thrown over at least three cars parked in Butetown, Cardiff, yesterday in what is suspected to have been the action of people fed up with commuters parking outside homes.
Parking has clearly become a major issue in the area, with more than 1,000 tickets being handed out by police and wardens in the last five months.
A number of parked cars recently had their tyres slashed - including an un-marked police car.
One resident of Louisa Place, which is a stone's throw from Mount Stuart Square, the Wales Millennium Centre and the new Assembly building, said: 'They come and park here at 7am and don't leave until 7pm. They park here instead of using the car parks. It's been like it for years.'

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'We get fed up of people parking here all day long.
'Some days we can't even park outside our own homes.'
The issue was raised at Butetown's first Partnerships and Communities Together - or Pact - meeting earlier his month in Crickhowell House.
Former Butetown councillor Betty Campbell said: 'Butetown has become a big, free car park for the rest of Cardiff.'
Inspector Steve Murray, at Cardiff Bay police station, said: 'There have been a number of incidents and it was raised at the recent Pact meeting as a priority for residents.
'Police officers and traffic wardens have issued in excess of 1,000 tickets in the Butetown area but we can't condone attacks on cars of this nature and if we identify those responsible, then they will be prosecuted.'
Tickets have been slapped on cars parked on yellow lines, in resident-only bays and on pavements.
Inspector Murray added: 'This is a priority for us and we are increasing patrols.'
The next Pact meeting will take place at the same venue on Thursday, June 8, at 7pm.

'The feeling is very hostile'
Chef Annette Jones has lived in Louisa Place for 25 years.
She said: 'It is going to kick off down here if people keep parking outside our houses.
'The feeling is very hostile because people are getting trapped in their houses.
'Some days I am scared to take my car out because I know when I get back I will not be able to park anywhere.
'What makes it worse is that there is a car park behind Louisa Place but people are too tight to pay.'

'The feeling is very hostile'
Chef Annette Jones has lived in Louisa Place for 25 years.
She said: 'It is going to kick off down here if people keep parking outside our houses.
'The feeling is very hostile because people are getting trapped in their houses.
'Some days I am scared to take my car out because I know when I get back I will not be able to park anywhere.
'What makes it worse is that there is a car park behind Louisa Place but people are too tight to pay.'

Mother Nicola Shaddad, 37, said: 'This is the worst part of Cardiff for parking. When people park up kerbs and in the road I can't see if there are children about to cross and it is dangerous.'
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'If I had my way I would put a stop to this problem right now.'