RED paint was thrown at a vehicle and windows in an act of vandalism against the property of a retired farmer.
Pamela Willis was at her home at East Upsall Farm between Guisborough and Nunthorpe on Wednesday evening (February 16) when she heard banging on her window.
On investigation, she found that red paint had been thrown over her windows.
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She then discovered that red paint had also been thrown over her car, and later that the oil fuel tank outside the house, had been punctured.
Mrs Willis said: “Just before seven o’clock, there was such a banging on my window.
"I thought well that’s not the wind, and I’m a bit scared, I thought someone’s trying to break into the house.
"I rang a friend up, and when they came down, they’d gone, they weren’t here three minutes.
"The house has been covered in paint, my car’s been covered in paint.
"My oil fuel tank has also been punctured.”
There are a number of developments in the area including planning applications for caravans and asked why she thought that her house had been attacked, she said: “I think it’s been the proposals on planning permission on agricultural land round here, they aren’t farmers, just trying to get development on the land, and it’s a dangerous road (the A171 Guisborough to Nunthorpe).
"A farmer wouldn’t get planning on the land, never mind anybody else.
"A covenant that was on the land has run out now, it was on for 15years.
"It was documented but this has all happened since that run out really, or just before it ran out.”
The incident was recorded on CCTV and shows three men involved in attacking the premises.
It was reported to police who interviewed Mrs Willis the following day and the incident is now under investigation.
Cleveland Fire Brigade officers have also been down to advise on further safety issues because of the fuel tank, which includes fitting new alarms on the premises.
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police confirmed that they are investigating the incident.
She said: "Police were contacted at 7.15pm on Wednesday, February 16 with a report that paint had been thrown over windows at the property some 15 minutes before.
"It was believed the person or people responsible had left in a vehicle.
"The caller was given advice to recontact police if anything further happened and that they would receive another call from us.
"Later on we received a call on the original caller’s behalf reporting suspected damage to a fuel tank at the same property.
"Officers attended the address and asked for Scenes of Crime colleagues to attend as well as informing Crime Prevention officers and local police to ask for extra attention to the area.
"If anyone has any information on either incident please contact Cleveland Police via the 101 number quoting reference 027270."
Anyone who doesn’t want to speak to police can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling them on 0800 555 111.
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