Home / Crime and Justice / Cotswolds Villages Fight Back Against Balaclava Gangs
Cotswolds Villages Fight Back Against Balaclava Gangs
4 Jan
Summary
- Locals form vigilante groups to combat a rise in burglaries.
- Wealthy villages like Kingham and Churchill are frequent targets.
- WhatsApp groups mobilize residents to chase off suspected burglars.
Affluent villages in the Cotswolds, including Kingham and Churchill, are witnessing a disturbing increase in burglaries, prompting residents to take matters into their own hands. Wealthy locals, concerned about being targeted by balaclava-clad gangs, have established vigilante groups. These groups use community messaging apps like WhatsApp to quickly alert neighbors and coordinate responses when criminal activity is detected.
On Boxing Day, a home in Churchill was targeted by a gang attempting to disable CCTV cameras. However, the homeowner was alerted via live footage and immediately alerted a local WhatsApp group. Within moments, approximately 30 residents mobilized, successfully scaring off the intruders before they could enter the property. A linked burglary in Kingham on the same day saw cash and jewelry stolen after burglars smashed a back door.
Residents attribute the surge in crime to the area's reputation as a haven for celebrities and millionaires, deeming it a 'magnet for criminals.' The proximity to major motorways like the M5, M4, and M40 facilitates quick getaways for perpetrators. Police are linking incidents and increasing patrols, while the community remains vigilant and protective of their neighborhoods.
