YOBS caused hundreds of pounds of damage in a Basingstoke street during an overnight tyre-slashing spree.

It is thought the vandals used a knife to slash the tyres of cars and a camper van in Brighton Hill last Thursday night.

At least seven cars were targeted during the attack, which took place in Schubert Road between 10pm on Thursday and 8am on Friday.

Robert Smith, a driving instructor, lives in Schubert Road and discovered a three-centimetre slash in the tyre of his Mini Cooper in which he gives lessons.

Speaking on Friday morning, the 53-year-old, who runs RWS Driving, said: “My car is vital for my business and this has lost me a lot of money.

“It makes you wonder what kind of people would do this? How would they like it if I went round to their place and damaged their property?

“I had to change the tyre and that made me late for my first lesson, so I did it for free, and the tyre is worth £65. I’m almost working for nothing for the whole day.

“If you add up all the damage in this street, it comes to hundreds of pounds. The woman living next to us is ill and both her car and camper van tyres were slashed. It’s mindless, wanton destruction.”

The vehicles targeted included a Mazda RX 8, a Renault Clio, a Mini Cooper, a Kia Sedona, a Vauxhall Corsa and a Peugeot 307.

PC Karla Hammond, of Basingstoke police, said: “We are investigating these incidents and have conducted house-to-house inquiries in the area to see if anyone saw or heard anything.

“We had extra patrols in the area on Friday and over the weekend as part of our planned antisocial behaviour campaign, and officers will pay extra attention to the affected areas.

“We would like to hear from anyone who knows who is responsible for this damage, or who saw anyone acting suspiciously overnight in the area between Thursday and Friday.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Hammond, at Basingstoke police station, by calling the 101 non-emergency number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.