Pensioner shocked by attack on tyres

A PENSIONER has been left distraught after waking up to find her car tyres had been slashed in a random attack.

The attack comes after a spate of slashings in West Hobart left more than 30 vehicles damaged late last week.

Frances Riley lives on a normally quiet Sorell street and could recall no major incidents over the past few years, so it was a massive shock to see the state of her car when she went to leave for the shops on Monday morning.

“I always just like to check the other side of the car to make sure there’s no damage — I had an egg thrown on it by some kids many years ago,” she said.

“I looked down and saw the two tyres on the driver’s side and thought, ‘oh goodness me, that’s not good’. They were brand new tyres, too.”

The incident was reported to police, with Ms Riley wondering if it could be connected to last week’s West Hobart incidents.

But police confirmed they had only received the one report in Sorell, which was now under investigation. She could think of no reason why someone would target her vehicle.

“I stick to myself — I just wish other people would do the same,” she said.

Police are still investigating the slashings at West Hobart.

A total of 36 vehicles had tyres destroyed late Thursday night and early Friday morning in Browne, Lochner, Pine and Hamilton streets.

On Friday, police said the spree was carried out by one person with a “small, sharp” instrument between 11pm and 2am. The person of interest was a male carrying a backpack and wearing white-coloured shoes and a cap.

Anyone with information, or with CCTV footage, is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.