Four hunted after wrecking spree leaves cars damaged

POLICE are hunting a gang of youths who caused thousands of pounds’ worth of damage to cars in an upmarket area of the Capital.

The quartet, thought to be in their late teens or early 20s, vandalised at least 20 cars in the Grange and Newington areas last weekend.

Tyres were slashed, wing mirrors kicked off and windows smashed as the group made its way from Grange Loan, along Duncan Street and back down on to Causewayside in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

Lothian and Borders Police have put the sum of the damage caused at around £3000, but residents speculated it could be far higher as many whose vehicles were targeted may not have reported it.

Officers want to trace the four they think were involved, and have issued descriptions of them in the hope witnesses will come forward.

One victim was businessman Gareth Munro, 34, who was staying overnight at his girlfriend’s home in Duncan Street when it happened.

Mr Munro, who lives in the Pentland village of Silverburn, said: “I looked out that night and saw them running around, throwing bins about.

“Then in the morning I saw they had kicked off my wing mirror – that’s £400 straight away – and slashed one of the tyres on my girlfriend’s car.

“Other cars in the street had been hit as well, there were about 20 on that road alone.

“When I went to the garage the woman in front had been affected and she was looking at £700.”

The suspects are two males and two females, all white and in their late teens or mid-20s. The first male was around 6ft tall, wearing a light-grey hooded tracksuit top and dark grey jogging bottoms. The second was of medium build with short dark brown hair, wearing a zipper jacket and dark jeans.

The first female was around 5ft 5ins with dark brown hair in a ponytail. She was dressed in a black woollen jacket and dark trousers.

The other female was 5ft 3ins, of medium build with blonde hair pulled back. She wore a grey top and jogging bottoms.

Detective Sergeant Jonny Wright said: “They may seem like minor offences to them, but these are the ones that really affect the community.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0131-311 3131.