BOSSES at a car sales firm in Titchfield say they will be forced to start night patrols after a spate of attacks by vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage.

Over the past three months the number of attacks has escalated to the point where staff at Supreme Cars dread coming into work.

Last week alone numerous cars were scratched, aerials were snapped off and wheels were even stolen from a Jeep parked on the forecourt, causing an estimated £2,000 of damage.

Bosses say this has become a regular occurrence and despite repeatedly reporting the incidents to police they claim not enough is being done.

Company director Stephen Hickman said: "We expect to get spates of vandalism every now and again but this is getting out of hand. In the five years we have been here this is the worst it has been and is lasting months.

"If this continues we will have to consider employing night patrol watches to keep an eye on the place.

"It is getting to the point where we dread turning up in the morning to discover what damage has been done overnight."

On an average day 70 used cars, collectively worth around £400,000, are parked on the forecourt at Lower Church Road but despite their own efforts to reduce the number of attacks Mr Hickman said they are an open target.

He said: "It is not feasible to fence the whole forecourt off. We are obviously an open forecourt so genuine customers can look over the stock, but we are going to have to consider taking more action if things carry on like this."

Mr Hickman says that in recent weeks he has been phoning police at Park Gate on an almost daily basis to report the thousands of pounds worth of damage being done to his stock.

A spokesman for Park Gate police said: "We are certainly aware of the problems Supreme Cars has been experiencing.

"Unfortunately, pockets of vandalism do spring up in certain places every now and again but we are certainly trying to actively target the problems at Supreme Cars.

"As a result of the reported incidents patrols have been stepped up in the area."

CATALOGUE OF DAMAGE:

Monday, October 14: Rear spoiler from Ford Escort ripped off.

Cost to repair: £250

Tuesday, October 15: Four tyres from a Jeep removed, car left on blocks of wood

Cost to replace: £1,200

Wednesday, October 16: A number of vehicles scratched

Cost to repair paintwork: £500

Friday, October 18:

Aerials snapped and side indicators pulled off

Monday, October 21: Abandoned car found overturned at the entrance to the dealership