Mass tyre slashing in Dunedin angers residents

Dunedin residents aren't impressed after someone went on a tyre slashing spree. Photo / Thinkstock

Dozens of tyres were punctured in an attack which left residents of a quiet Dunedin street angry and out of pocket.

Police were called to suburban Wakari yesterday morning following multiple calls from residents who woke to find one or two tyres punctured on every car parked in Farley St.

Constable Dean Pearce said 21 cars and a trailer parked in Farley St had tyres punctured, and tyres were also damaged in another two cars in nearby Wairoa St.

Ali Lu said two tyres apiece on his sedan and 4WD were punctured, with the insurance bill likely to be around $2000.

In addition to paying the $300 excess, he was unable to drive his children to kindergarten and had to take time off work.

"It's a shame. It is such a nice quiet street."

Asked what he would like to say to whoever did the damage, Mr Lu said it was probably not printable.

Amanda Burke said damage to the tyres meant her husband had to walk to work, and her two girls had to miss kindergarten while the tyres were replaced.

Busy replacing tyres was Mark Nimmo, of Car Connection, who said it appeared a strong metal spike had been plunged into each tyre.

Damaged tyres would have to be replaced and, in some cases, insurance excess would be more expensive than a new tyre.

Const Pearce said police had spoken to 18 owners, with several saying they did not get around to putting their vehicles in the garage the previous night.

Last month, several people reported having tyres slashed in the Maryhill area, and follows similar complaints by a Forfar St resident who also had tyres slashed.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dunedin police on (03) 471 4800.