THE leader of Swindon Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner have pledged a £500 reward for information on the car tyre vandal dubbed the ‘Swindon slasher’.

Coun Rod Bluh and fellow Tory Angus Macpherson have teamed up to see that whoever is responsible for the widespread criminal damage of more than 90 vehicles in the Old Town and town centre area is brought to swift justice.

As of yesterday, Wiltshire Police had received almost 90 separate reports from owners of vehicles which have been damaged – many of whom had all four tyres slashed.

Coun Bluh (Con, Old Town) said: “I was appalled when I heard the news and this is completely unacceptable. I don’t understand the mentality of a person who would do it once let alone 150 times.

“The police commissioner and I are putting up the reward to get someone to come forward and send out a message the we will not stand for this on our patch.

“Someone in our community committed this wanton criminal damage and there are 90 victims of crime who are facing the costs and people don’t need this right now.”

Wiltshire Police is maintaining increased patrols following the large scale criminal damage to vehicles, but distanced themselves from the reward offer.

A spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police is not associated with this offer of a reward in connection with this incident.

“A thorough police investigation is ongoing and increased patrols from both the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and investigators from the Priority Crime Team remain in the area.”

Vehicles parked on several residential streets between Swindon town centre and Old Town were damaged between 3am and 5am on Thursday morning.

The affected roads included Stafford Street, Dixon Street, Prospect Hill, East Street, Wood Street, Evelyn Street, North Street, Raggett Street, Westlecot Road and Berenger Close.

East Sector Inspector Joseph Saunders said that several lines of enquiry were underway and that CCTV from local businesses in the area was being examined.

He said: “This investigation is still very much active and we maintain an increased presence in the affected areas.

“We also had extra patrols on throughout the night and this morning.

“I would continue to urge anyone who has had their vehicle damaged to contact Wiltshire Police so that each crime is logged in the correct way.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who might have any information on this incident or might have seen anything unusual throughout Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800 555 111.