THUGS who slashed tyres on a van used by a homeless charity have been slammed as “mindless vandals”.

Creeping through the night a man slashed three tyres on a van used by Help the Homeless in Southampton.

The charity feeds homeless people in the city centre and has been unable to carry out its work as a result.

The vandalism was part of a series of targeted attacks where a home in William Macleod Way in Shirley was repeatedly pelted with bricks and rocks.

Commenting, councillor for the ward, Satvir Kaur said: “Instances of mindless vandalism especially when it’s targetting public property like ambulances or Help the Homeless are extremely insensitive.

“It’s not the Southampton I know and am proud of.

“I hope the individuals think twice about their actions when other people and the community are working together and looking out for each other.”

The Labour councillor added: “It is sad to hear of anti-social behaviour and criminal incidents during this pandemic.

“We have seen the best in people with individuals, families and the community coming together to help one another. However, we have also seen the worst in people.

“I hope everyone stays safe and well during this time and that they report any anti-social incidents for police to investigate.”

Her comments come after police launched an appeal in relation to the incidents. It was reported that a man hurled bricks at the home smashing a window and damaging the front door at around 1.20pm on April 29.

When a resident went outside to see what was happening, he continued throwing bricks at a car parked on the driveway and hitting the resident in the leg.

During the second incident, an attacker threw a rock through a front window at the same address.

He smashed the window of a car parked outside at around 1.15am on Saturday, May 2.

Two hours later, it is believed he returned to the area to slash the tyres of the Help the Homeless van.

Police officers believe the incident on April 29 and May 2, may have been carried out by two different people.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, quoting 44200154358.

The person from the incident on April 29 is described as being a young white man, aged between 15 and 25-years-old and medium build.

The person from the second and third incidents is described as being a young boy, white, aged between 12-16 years-old, slight build.