NEIGHBOURHOOD police officers will meet victims of a prolific vandal who was arrested but never charged for slashing hundreds of car tyres in Old Town last year.

Officers are to hold a public meeting to discuss the large scale criminal damage to vehicles last February, which resulted in appeals in the Adver for information.

More than 100 vehicles parked in residential streets in Old Town had their tyres slashed, including those in Stafford Street, Dixon Street, Prospect Hill, East Street, Wood Street, Evelyn Street, North Street, Raggett Street, Westlecot Road and Berenger Close.

There was widespread outrage at the crime, prompting the then leader of Swindon Council Rod Bluh and the Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson to pledge a £500 reward for information on the vandal.

They teamed up in a bid to bring whoever was responsible to swift justice.

Police arrested three teenagers in connection with the incident and worked to gather enough evidence to bring the youngsters to court.

But in December the Crown Prosecution Service ruled that the evidence available is unlikely to result in convictions, and charges against them were dropped.

Speaking at the time, Ryan McAdam, 35, of Dixon Street, said: “Vandals slashed three tyres on my Mini Cooper, two of which were brand new.

“It doesn’t make you feel great to hear nothing will be done about it. “I also got burgled this year, but they did not have enough evidence to pin it on them. “They arrested someone for 15 burglaries, including mine, but they only got charged for one. It is sickening.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “Police submit evidence to the CPS to make a charge decision. “In this instance, the CPS did not charge as they were not satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.

“Our officers feel every investigative avenue has been exhausted. “We must balance this with the public interest.”

The local Neighbourhood Policing Team has written to all 100 victims and will meet them to discuss the issue and give them security advice.

The drop-in session will be held tomorrow at the Savernake Street Social Hall, Eascott, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.