DVLA staff stranded as '40 cars' hit by tyre slasher

VANDALS have slashed tyres on around two dozen cars parked near the DVLA building in Morriston.

Most of the victims are believed to be staff at the driver licensing agency.

One eye witness to the damage said as many as 40 cars had been attacked — police have said they are aware of 17 so far, but they are expecting more victims to come forward.

The slashing left many staff unable to get home after their shifts — and facing repair and recovery bills running into hundreds of pounds.

Police are appealing for anybody with information — especially about a Ford car seen on 10th Avenue, Clase, around the time of the incident — to come forward.

One DVLA worker caught-up in slashing, who did not want his name published for fear of further attacks, said: "We came out of work and every car in the road had its tyres slashed — it was unbelievable.

"Someone had gone along and done two tyres on every car. There must have been 40 cars involved.

"No one could move and people were left stranded, nobody could get home.

"It's going to cost me £100 to get my car fixed. What kind of scum would do this?"

He added: "You can't slash all these tyres in a couple of seconds — it must have taken someone quite a while to do it, and someone must have seen it happening."

Parking has long been a thorny issue in the communities around the DVLA, with complaints about staff leaving their cars on residential streets. The issue was raised again in the Clase Christmas Pact meeting, with concerns about cars blocking driveways and making access difficult.

Similar worries have come up in Llangyfelach Pact meetings. Police are appealing for anybody with information about what happened to come forward. The slashing happened some time on Wednesday.

Acting chief inspector Nigel Whitehouse said: "We are investigating a number of incidents of criminal damage which occurred in the vicinity of the DVLA throughout the day, when more than 17 vehicles had tyres slashed.

"I am particularly interested in identifying a black vehicle — possibly a Ford Focus or Fiesta — which was in the area during the day.

"I am appealing to anyone who is able to identify the black vehicle, or anybody with any relevant information about what happened, to come forward."

Call South Wales Police on 101, or Crimestoppers Cymru on 0800 555111.

jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk