It’s a very bad start to the year for several dozen inhabitants of Gosselies. This weekend, their cars were scratched with a box cutter while they were parked on the street. According to the victims, at least 80 vehicles were vandalized.
New Year’s Eve began with a very bad surprise for the residents of a neighborhood in Gosselies, Charleroi. “We were woken up on Saturday morning by a neighbor who came to tell us that all the vehicles on the street had been damaged by a box cutter. The entire side of the car as well as the bonnet were damaged and quite deeply”laments Delphine.
So far, police have reported damage to 26 vehicles. But according to residents, more than 80 cars were damaged. “It’s really down to the bodywork. It’s not just the color”underlines Clarisse, another victim.
This malicious and gratuitous act revolts the victims. “Starting the year like this is not easy. There is also time for repairs”she says.
It’s really everyone who drools and we don’t even know why
“That’s what makes us angry, it’s that it’s not really leading because someone is angry with us. It’s really everyone who drools and we don’t even know why”, sorry Sarah.
“We work to pay for our vehicles. It’s not a big vehicle either, it’s just a small car to get around and do the things of everyday life. It’s a bit infuriating what”confides Delphine once more.
Considered vandalism, this kind of damage is not always covered by insurance. Only a few large omniums intervene and sometimes in a limited way. “For my car, there is more or less between 2,500 and 3,500 euros of damage. There are more or less 7 parts to change, it’s huge. So if the insurance companies don’t know how to intervene, we don’t know how to get out such sums”, fears Amelys.
Victims are advised to file a complaint. The author would have been identified but neither the police nor the prosecution have confirmed this information. If prosecuted, the individual might be ordered to pay compensation for the damage caused.
