A PENSIONER has called for tougher penalties for “mindless louts” after a shocking spate of vehicle crime in a Suffolk town.Fed-up Graham Reavell has called for urgent action after 16 cars were targeted in Sudbury over the weekend.

A PENSIONER has called for tougher penalties for “mindless louts” after a shocking spate of vehicle crime in a Suffolk town.

Fed-up Graham Reavell has called for urgent action after 16 cars were targeted in Sudbury over the weekend.

Mr Reavell, 66, said the growing problem - which has cost car owners thousands of pounds - has left many elderly residents fearing for their safety. “It is an awful state of affairs and it is all getting very serious,” he said.

“Police in Sudbury are under-staffed and under-resourced and it is the public who are being hit with the cost of these mindless vandals.

“I know people who are now frightened to go out at night as it is getting very dangerous.”

Police yesterday issued an urgent appeal for witnesses after the cars were attacked, leaving windscreens cracked and tyres slashed.

They said the crimes occurred in Beaconsfield Road, The Croft and Mountbatten Close, Queens Road, Hitchcock Place, New Queens Road, Gainsborough Road, Springfield Road, Uplands Road and Talbot Road.

But Mr Reavell said the problem did not stop with tracking down the offenders, “There is too much public disorder in the town, there is limited police and the courts have an inability to do anything,” he said.

“All these yobs get is a slap on the wrist or an Asbo which is fast becoming a fad among youngsters. They all seem to want one so they can show off to their mates - it doesn't mean anything to anyone.”

Les King, Sudbury's crime reduction officer, said: “We are very disappointed that there was in excess of a dozen offences over the weekend. The crime figures in Sudbury had been good but this will just inflate them once again.

“It would appear offenders have walked round with a sharp tool or knife and randomly stabbed tyres. It is very frustrating for us to try and prevent and catch the culprits and we are hoping, with that number of offences, there will be witnesses who will come forward.”

Anyone with information about the crimes, which happened between Friday night and the early hours of Sunday morning, should contact Suffolk police on 01284 774100.

dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk