Banbury family's home egged five times in less than two weeks

Gemma Chesterman, a Banbury resident in the Ruscote neighbourhood of town, has had eggs thrown at her home five times in just over a week, including one time when eggs came through open windows striking her 9-year-old son.

The first incident occurred on Friday August 14, the night before her daughter's second birthday. Then a few days later her home was egged three days in a row. The last incident occurred this past Saturday August 22. Most of the incidents occurred around 9.30 pm, but the last time it was closer to 11pm.

Gemma said: "On one occasion it actually came through the window and hit my 9-year-old son who was sat by the window."

Gemma understands similar incidents have occurred at other homes and vehicles in the neighbourhood.

She said: "We did contact the police. They were very helpful, and said they would up their patrols in the area."

Thames Valley Police are aware of a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour that have happened over the past two weeks in the Ruscote area.

On a number of occasions eggs have been thrown at houses around the area. PCSO’s and police officers have been undertaking patrols in the area which will continue.

Police ask anyone who has information about the incidents to contact TVP online https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ quoting reference 1319 of August 24.

Gemma encourages people who have become victim to this type of behaviour and activity to report it to the police.

She added: "There will always be mixed opinions on its wasting the police time etc., but when its happening more than once to the same household something has to be done and it may be eggs at first but who knows what's next.

"Another reason its important for it to be reported is there are quite a few elderly who live in the area some who live on their own and could be classed as vulnerable. It wouldn't be very nice for something like this to happen to them."

The repeated incidents have had quite an impact on Gemma's family during these still uncertain COVID-19 times.

She added: "It's been stressful, and it's got me down especially when it happened the night before my daughter's birthday. Instead of the day being all about her we spent the morning cleaning it all up outside as we couldn't see the night before as it was too dark.

"The fact that one actually came into our home because the window was open meant we had to get our sofa and blinds cleaned. We had to wash our curtains. You don't think raw egg smells, but it does and it's not a very nice smell.

"We're also afraid to leave windows open now as that seems to be what they are aiming for - open windows and our house gets quite warm even if the weather outside isn't great.

"The police did tell us that we were the only ones reporting it. So I have reached out to others to tell them to make sure they report it as we were told the more reports there are the more the neighbourhood police team can do."