'When a car is stolen, there are far more consequences and victims than just the car owners' - Your Letters and a group of young footballers facing the red card in 1975, in our picture from the archives

​Many victims of reckless driving

I noted a story in the E&S about a car smashing into a Swindon pub. The occupants had left the scene when ambulance staff arrived. I can only assume that the car was stolen and that the occupants, driving way beyond their own skill level had lost control going too fast through the village. Not only has the car owner suffered but now also the pub.

Physical damage to the building, loss of trade whilst being repaired and the regulars lose their watering hole. At least most of the losses will be covered by insurance and financial redress will eventually be made. That of course ignores the inconvenience to all concerned and the disruption to their daily life.

The story reminded me of a similar loss last year. Alder Coppice Local Nature Reserve in Sedgley had its main notice board destroyed by a stolen car in the early hours. Again the occupants had left the scene by the time authorities arrived. The car had taken out two lampposts, a bus stop and the end of a large garden hedge as well as the reserve notice board. Lots of inconvenience and disruption but at least everything was insured - that is except the notice board. The nature reserve is owned by Dudley MBC but the notice board, costing £860 when purchased, had been bought by the reserves Friends Group having raised the money themselves. The Friends are a voluntary community group and their only income is whatever they raise themselves. The notice board of course was not insured, after all, who would think you needed to do this even if it could have been afforded.

So when a car is stolen and then written off by those driving way beyond their own skill level, there are far more consequences and victims than just the car owners.

Simon Biggs, Sedgley