Slashed tyres raises Guernsey deputy's fear for politicians

BBC News

04-06-2025

A Guernsey politician has been targeted by vandals who slashed the tyres of his motorbike, e-bike and his grandson's car while they were parked at his home.Although the motive behind the attack remains unknown, Deputy Peter Roffey suspects it may have been politically motivated.Police said they were investigating the attack after Roffey discovered the damage on Sunday after returning to his St Andrews home from a family bereavement.Roffey, who is standing down at the general election on 18 June after decades of service in the States of Guernsey, said: "At first, I thought it was just bad luck, but when I found all three vehicles had been targeted, it became clear this was deliberate."
He added: "There hasn't been a spate of vandalism in the area, and my property seems to have been specifically targeted."Roffey, who was the youngest ever elected deputy in 1982, said the attack has left a "dusty taste" at the end of his political career. "There's no excuse for this kind of behaviour," he told BBC Radio Guernsey."In Guernsey, politicians are very accessible, if someone is upset with a decision, they can just talk to us."This kind of mindless vandalism is not what our community is about."
'Worst thing'
Roffey said he had faced hostility throughout his political career. He recalled receiving threats, particularly during his campaign to introduce public smoking restrictions nearly 20 years ago.However, he said this was the first time threats had escalated into physical damage."This is probably the worst thing that's actually happened to me," he said. "It's one thing to receive threats, but another to come home and find your property attacked."
Roffey also expressed concern about the message this sends to prospective candidates. "I hope it doesn't put people off standing for election, but I wouldn't blame them if it did," he said. "We need people willing to make tough decisions, and this kind of intimidation narrows the field."