New lines of inquiry have emerged in an attempted murder investigation over concrete blocks dropped on to cars on the A12 in Essex.
Police said they have had a "fantastic" response from the public following Thursday night's incidents, which left a woman seriously hurt.
A bucket-sized block hit the Nissan she was travelling in, and a large stone had earlier hit a Vauxhall Astra.
The 57-year-old woman remains in a serious but stable condition.
Police have said the "despicable" attacks had potentially fatal consequences and they were treating both as attempted murder.
Forensic examinationsA mother and daughter from Brentwood were left shaken when a large stone dropped from Fryerning Lane bridge, near Ingatestone, at 21:20 GMT.
It smashed through the windscreen of their Astra but did not injure them.
Officers have released an image of the stone, which measures about 30cm by 30cm. They believe it was stolen from a garden.
Eight miles along the A12, a concrete bollard the size of a bucket smashed through the windscreen of the Nissan from West Hanningfield bridge, near Galleywood, at about 22:00 GMT.
The front seat passenger suffered severe face and chest injuries and had to be cut from the car, while her husband, aged 56, suffered minor cuts and bruises.
Police have revealed that one of the blocks had been stolen from a house near Galleywood.
Detectives are looking back at more than 30 similar incidents over the past three years for any links to Thursday's attacks and are carrying out forensic examinations of items recovered from the bridges.
They are keen to receive details of suspicious activity, reports of other incidents or information about the removal of hardcore or building rubble.
'Perpetrators not identified'Det Ch Insp Keith Davies said: "The public response has so far been fantastic in terms of from our house-to-house inquiries as well as people calling us with information.
"However, we still have not yet identified the perpetrators behind these attacks so continue to encourage people to come forward.
"The investigation is taking shape and we're now piecing together the detail that is being gathered.
"The communities surrounding both bridges have been supportive in our efforts to identify those people who attempted to injure and even kill motorists.
"Those from further afar, motorists living in other parts of Essex and neighbouring counties are also helping us with their calls."
Post a Comment