Car tyres slashed in city

Tyre slashers are costing Milson and Roslyn residents thousands of dollars with vehicles on Milson and Roslyn streets being targeted.

Last Thursday, a second wave of slashings on Milson’s Catlins Cres and Roslyn’s Piper Pl caught some people twice.

In Milson, Meriam Findlay had to pay out $1200 when all four tyres on her street-parked Toyota Corolla were slashed.

Findlay said she had to pay the money because the insurance company wanted to wait a day or so to do an investigation. However, the home support worker needed her car to look after a client that morning. As it was, she missed two hours because of the vandalism.

‘‘Three of our neighbours also had their tyres cut. Eight cars around here have been slashed, two of them were in their driveways.’’

News of the attacks were posted on Neighbourly and Facebook, indicating that dozens of vehicle owners had been affected.

Shantelle Williams in Roslyn had her roadside parked car hit on Friday, September 2. ‘‘It was the two rear tyres - one had four stab marks in it and the other had one.’’

When Williams discovered her tyres were flat, she never suspected foul play until she saw themultiple cuts.

Her partner’s ute parked behind her car was untouched.

‘‘The bill came to $212 - luckily not the most expensive tyres.’’

She now parks her car in the garage. Other owners have faced bills of $800.

James Allen at the Discount Tyre Shop on Tremaine Ave said they replaced tyres for half a dozen vehicles last week. Tony’s Tyre Service reported around eight vehicles affected.

However, on Friday police said only two cases of tyre interference had been reported. A police spokesperson said that other victims needed to come forward.

Neighbourhood Support field officer Geoff Nilsen encouraged people to report any fishy behaviour by calling police or the Crimestoppers line, 0800 115 019.