TYRE-slashing vandals who caused thousands of pounds of damage to vehicles in South Lakeland are the focus of a police crackdown.

The ‘mindless’ wreckers have targeted around 100 cars in the Kendal area over the past 12 months in a spate that police say has left owners ‘shocked and upset.’

A call from the public for action has seen officers launch Operation Sandstorm today.

It will see an increase town patrols by police officers coupled with public stop checks to stamp out the vandalism.

Assistant manager Michael Wilson, 21, of Kendal, had his Vauxhall Corsa tyres slashed in the middle of the afternoon, in Clarks’ car park on Stricklandgate.

“It was really frustrating,” said Mr Wilson.

“The actions of an idiot has cost me more than £200.”

Staveley chef Kerry Ramsay, 35, fitted a £150 security camera to her house after two of her car tyres were punctured.

The mother-of-two said her car was used for the benefit of the whole family, including her 15-month old son George and eight-year-old son Lewis.

“I was frightened – this makes you worry you’re being targeted but neighbours have had hubcaps and badges stolen,” she said.

“If I had driven off with my kids we all could have been in an accident.”

Massage therapist Alison Gracey, 65, of Castle Garth, Kendal, said all four tyres on her Peugeot 206 had been slashed overnight, costing her more than £250 to replace.

“I was shocked and upset when a neighbour called to warn me my car had been damaged,” she said.

“I had appointments that day but couldn’t make them.”

Detective Sergeant Helen Ellis, of Kendal Police, said: “A lot of the offences occurred during daylight on busy car parks and town centre streets.

"We are sure that the offenders will have been seen loitering around car parks or busy side streets so we are encouraging local people to work alongside us to stop the problem once and for all.”

Police, fire and rescue officers and council groups are launching the operation at 4pm in the St. George’s Church area of Kendal.