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Monday, November 17, 2008, 11:35
Two local men, aged 18 and 20, are in custody.
The arrests follow attacks on at least 52 cars in Coppice Gate, Fairacre Avenue, Hillcrest Road, Rumsam Road and Rumsam Gardens between 10pm on Saturday evening and 4am Sunday.
Damage was put at £25,000. Tyres were slashed on all the cars.
Two people were later seen running away from the scene, towards Landkey Road.
A police spokesman said: "Some have had two or three of their tyres slashed with a sharp implement. This is going to cause dreadful inconvenience for all concerned."
Hilary Price, of Hillcrest Road, had two tyres slashed on her Mini Cooper.
She said: "You could say I was lucky. Most of the cars had all the tyres slashed.
"It seems to be mostly cars that were parked on the road but a few in drive ways were also attacked.
"There were loads of AA and RAC vans here on Sunday morning and apparently there was a massive queue at Kwik Fit in Barnstaple.
"I've never known anything like it in this area before, I always thought it was relatively safe.
"It's so frustrating. These tyres cost £70 each plus whatever call out fee I get charged. I could certainly do without this so close to Christmas."
Andy Hagon lives at Rumsam Gardens and had all four of his Subaru Impreza tyres slashed — just 10 days after having them all replaced.
He said: "Only a couple of weeks ago I spent £350 on new low profile tyres that were specially ordered for me.
"At first I thought they'd just been let down but after trying to pump them up I noticed that they had been punctured — along with almost all the other cars up my road.
"I feel angry that my personal space has been invaded. I pay over the odds to live in this part of town so you don't expect stuff like this to happen here.
"The following morning I went out with a friend and did a quick count. I reckon over 100 cars were hit by this."
Charles Thomas, 55, of Rumsam Gardens, had two tyres on his car slashed, and estimates that new tyres will cost between £120 and £150.
He said: "It's aggravating that there are such big consequences of a simple act. It's upset my work arrangements. I was meant to be in Exeter today, but instead I've had to stay at home to phone the insurance people and talk to the police as well as rearrange my work in Exeter."
Joanne Braund, 29, from Hillcrest Road was also affected.
All four tyres of her family car and two on her husband's van were slashed, causing around £500 worth of damage.
She said: "It's a lot of money for a lot of people — especially so close to Christmas."
Martin Filer from Bathwick Tyres in Newport said it had been a busy weekend with a lot of angry customers.
Mike Harrison, leader of North Devon Council, who lives in Newport, said he was absolutely appalled at the damage caused.
He said: "Some cars had four tyres punctured. And I think they punctured cars in drives as well. It is quite a shock that it should happen here.
"I patrolled around Hillcrest and all the way down St John's Lane and they have done every car."
Peter McHugh, a director of Webbers Property Services, had his car targeted along with his daughter's car and his daughter's boyfriend's car.
Five tyres on the three cars were damaged, causing about £450 worth of damage.
He said: "Virtually every car in Hillcrest Road had some damage. Apparently, a chap up the road chased them but could not catch them."
Cllr John Mathews, who represents Newport ward, said: "It is devastating. Some people had about eight tyres slashed. Apparently, there were two or three AA vehicles going around all Sunday and the AA had to bring another vehicle in loaded with tyres from Taunton."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 08452 777 444 or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference CB/08/5060
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