A person who vandalized a store and was captured on CCTV blowing kisses to a young woman has sparked outrage. The individual, seen in a video wearing green track pants and a black coat, was filmed walking through the town center with a woman while carrying a black handbag and sporting a grey hood under his jacket.
In the footage, the individual can be seen removing signs from the store front and throwing them across the street. After struggling to take down a sign, he eventually succeeds, smiles, blows a kiss to the woman, discards the sign, and sends papers scattering across the street.
The incident took place in Barnstaple, North Devon, around 11:45 pm on Saturday, October 11th. Claire Weston, the shop owner, expressed frustration, stating, “There are individuals freely causing havoc in our town. It’s appalling. Where are the repercussions?”
Local residents also expressed anger over the incident, with one remarking, “He’s a disrespectful individual who needs to learn manners and discipline.” Another commented, “What a pitiful existence,” while a third added, “What a fool.”
Devon and Cornwall Police have been contacted for a statement.
Just the day before, a serious assault was reported in the same town, prompting a plea from the police for witnesses. The authorities confirmed responding to a disturbance involving 12-14 youths on Queen Street around 1:05 am on Saturday, October 11th.
According to the police, a victim in his early 20s was found outside Barum Takeaway, recounting being attacked by a group, assaulted, and kicked while on the ground. The victim sustained fractured ribs and a punctured lung and was hospitalized.
The police urged anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward.
In the Barnstaple Central Town area, there were 210 reported crimes in August, as per Police.UK data. These included 61 cases of theft, 57 instances of violence and sexual offenses, 36 reports of anti-social behavior, and 56 other crimes.
This figure marks an increase from the 147 crimes reported in the same month in 2024. In August 2023, only 72 crimes were reported in Barnstaple town center, according to the data. Barnstaple, a town with a river port, is situated approximately an hour away from Exeter by train and is close to the coastal destinations of Saunton, Croyde, and Woolacombe.