Healthcare workers have been left in shock after their vehicles were targeted with glue, flour, and fake parking tickets in a bizarre spat over street parking.
Norvic Healthcare employees, who have been using Baldric Road in Taverham, Norfolk for parking, are facing the wrath of local residents despite the absence of parking restrictions on the road.
The company's boss has now spoken out about the harassment his team is enduring, revealing that two staff members discovered their cars vandalised with flour. Aaron Bellwald, who has managed Norvic Healthcare for six years, said: "Staff have had super glue and flour thrown onto their windscreen as well as threatening notes."
"Just the other day, someone's car had a paint-like substance marked on the door's keyhole." Mr Bellwald highlighted the emotional toll such incidents take on his staff, especially those providing end-of-life care, who return from gruelling shifts to find their vehicles damaged. Defending his staff, he said: "My staff aren't doing anything illegal, they're not blocking any access and it's only three or four cars - I'd understand the frustration if it was more - but it's not."
Despite reporting these acts to the police, the healthcare manager feels the response has been lacklustre. He said: "I've reported the incidents to the police but they don't seem bothered. There's very limited space on site so we've spoken to other care homes and The Silver Fox pub nearby to get spaces elsewhere but we can't. It's not like we've ignored it. It's a shame people can't be more considerate of people's personal belongings and are damaging them instead."
Life on one of the UK's cheapest streets where homes sell for just £25,000Residents have complained that the staff cars often park on grass verges in the area. The strange row has seen fake parking tickets placed on cars, making claims for fines to be paid. One stated: "Payment is required no later than five seconds from the date of this violation. Note you have five seconds to contest this citation. Please send payment via cash (lots and lots of it) or a cheque made payable to [blank] so as to avoid a penalty."
A Norfolk Police spokesperson said: "On February 16 we received a report of criminal damage to a vehicle in Fakenham Road. An investigation was launched and enquiries conducted and has since been closed pending any further evidence that may come to light."
The Chairman of Taverham Parish Council criticised the care firm previously and said it was "disappointing they couldn't be more community minded". Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou said: "It's been a constant issue here. I know that both county councillors and police have tried talking to Norvic but it doesn't seem particularly interested in resolving the situation. It's disappointing they couldn't be more community-minded and have some consideration for their neighbours."