A woman from Salford whose car was stolen and torched on Bonfire Night has set up a GoFundMe in the hopes of purchasing a new car and getting to her family Christmas.
Rebecca Clements, of Irlam o’ th’ Heights, woke up to find her car missing from outside her house on November 6th.
Only shattered glass remained in the spot where she had parked her grandmother’s 1991 Toyota. Rebecca began investigating the disappearance through local Facebook groups.
She later received a message from GMP Salford that two cars were set alight on the 5th November beside the playing fields of Duchy Road, less than a mile away from Rebecca’s home.
Rebecca’s car was not the only one. Two others had also been taken for a ‘joyride’ around the streets of Salford, with one of them also ending up in flames.
The perpetrators were caught on CCTV racing at dangerous speeds around Kersal whilst colliding with each other. Their identity is currently unknown.
The act has left Rebecca unable to get about. She used the car to get to her second job, as well as visiting her elderly mother in Leicester. After spending considerable amounts of money on the car’s upkeep over the years, Rebecca is now left with nothing. She now fears Christmas at home in Leicester may be cancelled.
Rebecca said: “People would photograph it. It meant a lot to me, it became my signature car if you like. There aren’t that many of them left.”
Although the vehicle was of high sentimental and practical value to Rebecca and her family, the insurance company have offered a measly pay-out for the wreckage. It has left Rebecca stuck in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, she has set up a Go-Fund-Me in an attempt to finance a new car.
Rebecca shared her frustration, describing the acts as “mindless, entitled, immature and dangerous”.
Luckily, no one was harmed during the theft. “It doesn’t make you feel very nice about the place you live in” she says.
Rebecca worries that others may endure the same fate next bonfire night. She has applauded Salford GMP’s work so far on how they have handled the situation but is apprehensive that a lack of convictions and punishment will lead to repeat offences.
“At the moment there is no deterrent. They can just get away with it.” Rebecca said.
No arrests have been made so far in relation to this story. If you have any information, you can report it on 0161 856 5229 or by visiting their website at gmp.police.uk. You can also visit Rebecca’s Go-Fund-Me here to donate.
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