Driver of ‘stolen’ car causes havoc on street neighbours say has descended into ‘lawlessness’

Residents say they are “concerned” about a rise in crime on their street after a driver of a “stolen” car crashed into two signs and hit parked cars before speeding away from the scene.

A resident of Carminia Road, Balham, said “the usual lunchtime peace was shattered by two loud bangs” in close succession, when a dark grey car was driven at high speed into a traffic sign at the junction with Elmfield Road.

Stephen Spark witnessed the chaotic scene and said the first crash “sounded like the roof had fallen down”.

He said: “The driver immediately reversed and hit a second sign, which fell across the road. It drove off towards the end of Elmfield Road but the driver found his exit on to Bedford Hill blocked by a gate.

“The driver then turned round and drove at high speed back along Elmfield Road and turned sharply into Cloudesdale Road.”

Mr Spark said one of his neighbours had a “lucky escape”, as she had only just parked her car next to the scene of the accident when the driver hit the first sign.

“The sign from the post flew right off over her car, it could have taken her head off,” Mr Spark added. “She just got out in time.”

The car suffered some minor damage from the debris. Officers arrived on the scene shortly afterward and reportedly told residents the car had been stolen earlier that day from Earlsfield. It was last seen later that day near Wandsworth Bridge.

Mr Spark said neighbours were concerned about the increasing incidence of theft, robbery, drug dealing and car crime, saying the area had “descended into lawlessness”.

Mr Spark said in recent months several assaults had taken place on the street, vehicles and homes had been broken into, while drug dealing “frequently takes place” under the arches of the Elmfield Estate blocks.

The resident added cars are often driven the wrong way up the nearby one-way streets without punishment.

“Pleas [to Wandsworth council] for gates to be added to the entrances of the Elmfield Estate and for CCTV on the road have gone unheeded,” said Mr Spark.

Officers attended reports of a road traffic collision on Carminia Road at approximately 13:40hrs on Monday, 14 August.  One vehicle failed to stop at the scene and enquiries are continuing.  At this time there is no evidence to suggest the car was stolen.

A spokesman for the Met said: “Local officers patrol the Carminia Road area on a regular basis and deal with any reports of anti-social behaviour or drug dealing.

“If we receive any reports relating to driving standards they are passed to our colleagues road traffic who will act upon them where appropriate.

“If you have any issues you wish to report, or concerns you wish to raise, then please report via the Metropolitan Police website at www.met.police.uk, via telephone by dialling 101 or by emailing your local policing team on SouthBalham@met.police.uk.”

Wandsworth council has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: One of signs damaged by the chaotic car driver (Picture: Maddie Casper)