Tyre slashing vandal caught on camera

A hooded vandal is caught on CCTV as he slashes the tyres of up to 10 cars during a wrecking spree in the Black Country.

The lout can be seen stooping to jab a blade into the vehicles at around the same time as a children's playground was vandalised.

Click on the images to the right to see more pictures.

Ten cars were targeted in Hambledon Close, Holbury Close and Emsworth Crescent, in Pendeford, Wolverhampton, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Another two vehicles had their tyres slashed 24 hours later, with residents saying that 29 tyres were slashed in all.

This CCTV footage of the car vandal, who appears to be wearing a light coloured hoodie, was released by police today.

Yobs also ripped a chunk of foam flooring from a nearby play area next to Morrisons supermarket off Whitburn Close.

Police say the two incidents may be linked.

Learner driver and Wolverhampton College student Christine Pugh, aged 18, who lives in Hambledon Close, had two tyres on her newly bought Fiat Punto slashed in the early hours of Sunday.

She said: "I haven't even driven my car yet. I'm hoping to take my test next month. I've only had the car for a couple of weeks.

"My dad discovered the tyres in the morning."

Miss Pugh added it was going to cost £20 to replace each tyre. "It's a cost I could do without," she added.

"I'm worried they might come back and do it again."

Retired store manager John Melia, aged 61, said everyone in Hambledon Close, where he also lives, was disgusted by the attack.

"I don't have a car but some of my neighbours have been affected. It's disgusting that someone could have done this."

Mr Melia added some of the cars targeted on Sunday morning had their tyres slashed again in the early hours of Monday morning.

Sgt Mark Platt, from Oxley neighbourhood policing team, said high-visibility patrols in the area had been stepped up.

"Although you cannot see the offender's face in the CCTV, I hope that somebody may recognise them."

Anyone with information should call 0345 113 5000.