A GANG of knife-wielding tyre slashers - described as “degenerates” by a fuming councillor - wreaked havoc during a rampage on the streets of Colchester.

During the early hours of Saturday morning a group of hoodlums are reported to have targeted vehicles in Queen Elizabeth Way, on the Monkwick estate.

The following morning shocked residents, including a business owner whose work van was left ruined, awoke to find their tyres had been slashed.

CCTV footage, which has been sent to the police, reportedly captured the attackers – believed to be at least two young men and a young woman - on camera.

As a result of the gang’s behaviour, victims have been left without transport and now face having to pay out hundreds of pounds for new tyres.

Gazette:

Dave Harris, Colchester councillor for Berechurch, has been left incensed by the selfish actions of the group and feels for those impacted.

He said: “I have heard there were at least three cars that had their tyres slashed and I feel for the people who were victims.

“It is mindless and annoying and these people are degenerates who are out to not do very well and it is affecting residents’ lives.

“I have noticed a downturn in the good behaviour we normally have in the community and so I am concerned because it is unprecedented.”

Mr Harris has now raised his concerns about the fact groups of young people in his ward are arming themselves with potentially deadly weapons.

He added: “If they are going around with a sort of knife that makes holes in tyres then that is worrying because why on earth do they have that on them?

“What if a situation escalated with someone else? They only have to see a bit of red mist and then the knife might come out of their pocket, and we don’t want that.

“Only cowards carry knives so I hope their parents have a word with them and tell them that this is not the way to behave in a modern society.”

Gazette: Dave Harris

Essex Police have now launched an investigation.

A spokesman said: "We are investigating a report of a number of people acting suspiciously in the Ladbrook Drive area of Colchester shortly after 1am on Saturday.

"Officers carried out a widespread search of the area but unfortunately no one matching the descriptions given to us could be found.

"Our enquiries are ongoing so we need anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour or has any dash cam or doorbell footage of anyone acting suspicious to contact us.

"If you have any information you can submit a report online at essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"Please quote incident 72 of Saturday 23 April. You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."