Garage fury at yobs' trail of havoc

The incident happened in the evening, on Tuesday, June 7, at Hares garage in Station Road, Rustington.

The garage has been targeted by young vandals since February and a number of attacks on vehicles there have left bonnets with deep gouges in them, wing mirrors and number plates ripped off and paintwork damaged.

The cost of all this damage adds up to more than 10,000.

Mark Robinson, who runs the garage, is offering a 500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible for the damage.

"These kids feel they can get away with it because they have not been called to task yet, but they will be," he warned. "Most of the damage happened when it was dark. It goes to show how brazen they have become now, as this last attack was at 6.50pm.

"My neighbour saw them running across the bonnets and she told the police that she could identify them, but with the resources the police have got they can't do much about it until they have been identified."

Mr Robinson said that the firm has now installed a further 5,000- worth of security systems to help prevent any future vandalism, including state-of-the-art DVD-surveillance equipment and infra-red cameras.

"I can't wrap the site up in cotton wool every night and put barbed-wire fences up," he said: "That wouldn't do the business or the community any favours. Even the St Joseph's Catholic Church over the road has put up a camera now, for fear of vandalism.

"I think it's the same youths who are causing problems to traders in Rustington.

"Once I spot them, I'll either pull one of them in and take them down to the police station or I'll follow them home and then call the police. Our insurance does cover the damage but if we claim for it now, our premiums will soar in the future."

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call them on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.