VIDEO: Reward offered after '˜hit-and-run' in Hastings

A furious business owner is offering £500 for information after a hit-and-run causing £20,000 worth of damage in Hastings.
The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001
The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001

One of Croft Glass’ vans was crashed into by a white 4x4 car outside its base on Beaconsfield Road at around 4.45pm on Tuesday, February 21.

Police have told owner Mark Gardiner there is nothing they can do despite having CCTV footage of the crash.

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Anyone with information that leads to a prosecution will receive the reward.

The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001
The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001

“I’m one of those guys that I’m not going to let this rest until I get this person,” Mr Gardiner said.

“It must have done a lot of damage to their car too so I’m hoping someone will see their neighbour’s car or something and report it.”

Hughenden Road was shut for resurfacing works last week which meant traffic was sent down Beaconsfield Road where there are cars parked on both sides.

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The result was lots of delays and frustrated motorists – Mr Gardiner described it as a ‘Mexican stand-off’ and said there were fights over giving way.

The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171749001The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171749001
The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171749001

“Whoever from highways organised the roadworks didn’t realise that it would turn Beaconsfield Road into the M25,” he said.

“At one point a police car put on their blues and twos and it was ridiculous.

“There are cars parked either side and the police car sticking on its sirens did not help as people were like, ‘where can we go?’”

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Mr Gardiner believes the white 4x4, thought to be a Nissan or Vauxhall, saw a space and went for it but misjudged the gap and hit his van before driving off.

The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001
The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171736001

The business owner says it would cost £20,000 to replace the van and the specialist glass-carrying equipment on its side.

He reported it to the police on Wednesday but was told there was nothing they could do unless he got the car’s licence plate, which left him very frustrated.

“What’s annoyed me a lot is the police are like, ‘there’s nothing we can do’, if they had killed someone the road would’ve been shut and they would have been all over it,” he said.

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“Where does it come to a point where the crime is enough for the police to be interested? Where is the line?”

The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171749001The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171749001
The 4x4 car suspected of crashing into the back of the Croft Glass van. Photo courtesy of Croft Glass SUS-170227-171749001

Any witnesses to the collision can email [email protected] or call 101, quoting reference 500 of 22/02.

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