Bohemia Village Voice

Paul Elms – attacked at Lidl.

By Julian Beecroft (Feb 2007)

Local taxi driver Paul Elmes (pictured) had his car attacked in Lidl’s car park on Wednesday 3rd January 2007 at around 8.30pm.

Mr Elmes, who had been doing his shopping at the store, saw a number of youngsters hanging around the car-park entrance as he returned to his car. He told the Voice, ‘One tried to open my car door as I was leaving the car park and a number were blocking the exit. I drove towards them to let them know that I wanted to get out, but they wouldn’t budge. Then a couple of them started having a go at the car – one kicked the back of it, and another aimed a flying kick at the side door. There’s still a slight dent in it. I got out and started shouting at them and they ran off in the direction of De Cham Road. I could see they’d been drinking. They were holding cans of some kind.

‘I contacted the police and they gave me a crime number but I’ve not heard anything since. I also told the manager of Lidl about the incident and asked him why there weren’t security cameras in the car park. He said that the company wouldn’t provide them. But it’s obvious. Look at the Shell garage next door. They’ve got cameras, and the kids don’t go in there.’

Mr Elmes is keen to see this story reported as only then, he believes, will the police do anything about it. We await developments . . . [Julian Beecroft]

Rod Bridger writes (Apr 2007)

Dear Sir, I was particularly interested in the article relating to the taxi driver who experienced problems at Lidl’s. I have been witnessing an increase in anti-social behaviour in the Church Road area, which is clearly involving underage drinking and all of its associated problems. I have been in communication with the police on this matter, and they are as concerned as I am. A closer link between my service, the police and the community will help us immensely in controlling this problem – and any others.  On a personal note (re: the letters page) I can remember starting my school days at what is now called the Old Penny School in Magdalen Road prior to going ‘up’ to the big school in St Paul’s Road (where the YMCA now stands). I can even remember a trolley bus blowing up at the cricket ground as I sat behind the driver (I used to drive it with him). Rod Bridger, Senior Warden, HBC Warden Service, 100 Menzies Road, St Leonards.