WORRIED car-owners today called for a stronger police presence in the Gainsborough area of Ipswich, after a spate of attacks on parked vehicles. They said that cars have been deliberately scratched, windows have been smashed and radios stolen – all by youths roaming the streets at night.

By Judy Rimmer

WORRIED car-owners today called for a stronger police presence in the Gainsborough area of Ipswich, after a spate of attacks on parked vehicles.

They said that cars have been deliberately scratched, windows have been smashed and radios stolen – all by youths roaming the streets at night.

In the latest incident, vandals cut the fuel pipes of a car parked on the street in Romney Road, at about 11pm on Friday night.

The fire service put sand on the road to soak up the spilt diesel and the car was made safe.

The car owner, who asked not to be named, has been busy working on his vehicle, an M-reg Vauxhall Cavalier, with help from a neighbour.

"I was asleep in bed and didn't see what happened, but a couple living in the road looked out of their window and saw some boys running away from the car," he said.

"I have lost about half a tank of diesel. This is the second time my car has been vandalised since I moved here– last time it was scratched."

He said he believed the youths were trying to steal fuel and siphon it off into a bottle.

"We've only been living here about two months and are trying to sort the house out. This is the last thing I need."

His neighbour said his car had also been a target, and vandals had deliberately scratched it all the way along the side. "I had just done about £400 of work on that car," he said.

"All the cars along here have been done. People have had things stolen out of their cars and one woman had her window smashed and a radio taken. It's always happening."

He added that he thought the youths involved in the vandalism were not from the estate, but coming over from Greenwich.

The two men both felt there should be a stronger police presence in the area, with more bobbies on the beat.

Diane Sawyer, 48, of Romney Road, who has also had her vehicle damaged in the past, said: "I don't think the police are doing enough.

"Instead of getting the police helicopter out every night they want to get more officers out on the streets patrolling the area."

The residents also want Ipswich Borough Council to make it cheaper for people to put in dropped kerbs and create parking spaces at the front of their houses, so they would not have to park on the street.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "There have been four car crime incidents in Romney Road since January. We are aware of the concern and distress car crime can cause and we are actively trying to sort it out.

"We have had an ongoing operation in Ipswich since February which is dedicated to identifying and targeting offenders.

"We would urge anybody who has any information relating to car crime or knows the perpetrators to contact Ipswich police on 01473 613500."