The tranquility of Manea, Cambridgeshire, was shattered by a shocking display of reckless off-roading, captured in a disturbing video. A convoy of 4×4 vehicles, including luxury brands like Mercedes, Jeep, and Nissan, tore through fields on the outskirts of the town, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The footage, filmed from inside one of the vehicles, shows the drivers, their faces obscured by balaclavas, shouting to each other as they race across the farmland, churning up crops and leaving a crisscrossing network of tire tracks. The sheer disregard for property and the potential danger to both themselves and others is evident throughout the video. The scene culminates with the convoy meeting up with a larger group of similarly mud-caked vehicles, engines revving in a display of bravado before the footage abruptly ends. This incident occurred just days after a nearby town, Chatteris, was terrorized by a group accused of similar reckless behavior and more serious criminal acts.
This off-road rampage followed a weekend of escalating lawlessness in the Cambridgeshire Fens, where a group described as “travellers” unleashed havoc on several communities. Residents of Chatteris described scenes of terror as a convoy of approximately 30 cars carrying dozens of men tore through the area. Farmers reported extensive damage to their fields and crops, while villagers recounted experiences of intimidation and fear. The group is also accused of damaging fire engines and threatening firefighters who were conducting a training exercise. The escalating situation culminated in a public meeting attended by around 300 concerned residents, demanding answers from local authorities and law enforcement.
The public meeting, held at the Manea British Legion Club, was convened by MP Steve Barclay and Councillor Charlie Marks to address the growing concerns over the lack of police response to the escalating criminal activity. Residents shared harrowing stories of being left unprotected despite making numerous 999 calls, expressing their fear and frustration. One resident even drew a chilling parallel to the case of Tony Martin, a Norfolk farmer who fatally shot a burglar in his home, warning that a similar tragedy could occur if the situation wasn’t addressed.
Among the most disturbing accounts shared was that of farmer Matthew Latter, who described being forced to barricade himself and his family inside their home as over 70 masked men invaded his property, smashing through gates and moving concrete barriers to gain access. Mr. Latter made repeated calls to the police, providing precise location information, but received no response. His seven-year-old daughter was left terrified by the ordeal. Other residents reported similar experiences of unanswered 999 calls and a perceived lack of police presence during the rampage.
The incidents weren’t limited to property damage and intimidation. A woman reported calling 999 to report a robbery at a petrol station in Witcham Toll, only to be told to call back on the non-emergency 101 number. This perceived lack of urgency and response from the police fueled the anger and frustration of the residents. Many expressed disbelief at the absence of police helicopters, cars, or officers, questioning who would protect them if law enforcement failed to do so.
Addressing the concerned residents, Cambridgeshire’s Chief Constable Nick Dean acknowledged that his “gut feeling” about resource allocation had proven incorrect in hindsight. He acknowledged the severity of the situation and the justified anger of the community. Following the meeting, Cambridgeshire Police issued a statement appealing for information, dashcam footage, and CCTV recordings to assist in their investigation. They confirmed that up to 25 vehicles were involved in the incidents, which spanned several towns and villages across the county. The police stressed their understanding of the community’s distress and pledged to thoroughly investigate the matter. This incident highlighted the escalating concerns about rural crime and the need for a robust and effective police response to protect communities and ensure the safety of residents.
