A quiet Shropshire evening was shattered by an extraordinary scene of destruction as a teenager allegedly commandeered a JCB digger and embarked on a devastating rampage through a new-build housing estate.
The incident, which police have described as 'utterly mindless', resulted in catastrophic damage to multiple properties, with initial estimates placing the cost at a staggering £2.5 million.
A Trail of Destruction in a Quiet Community
The rampage occurred on the new-build estate on Sunday evening, sending shockwaves through the local community. Eyewitnesses reported the surreal sight of the industrial digler systematically attacking the newly constructed homes, reducing them to piles of rubble and splintered wood in a matter of minutes.
One local resident described the scene as 'something from a disaster movie', with the sheer force of the machinery making short work of the brick and timber structures.
Swift Police Response and Arrest
West Mercia Police responded promptly to multiple emergency calls from horrified onlookers. Officers arrived at the scene to find a landscape of devastation, with several houses partially or completely demolished.
A 19-year-old male was apprehended at the scene and remains in police custody. Authorities have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related, but rather as an isolated act of criminal damage on an enormous scale.
Developer and Community Left Reeling
The housing development, comprising modern family homes intended for new occupants, has suffered what developers are calling 'irreparable damage'. The financial implications extend far beyond the immediate physical damage, with project timelines now severely disrupted and prospective homeowners left in limbo.
Local councillors have expressed their shock and sympathy for both the developers and the community, promising support for those affected by this bizarre and destructive incident. The investigation continues as authorities work to establish the motive behind this unprecedented act of destruction.
