VANDALS high on drugs are threatening the future of a Southampton garage following a series of attacks.

The Browdon Car Centre in Shirley Road has been repeatedly targeted by youths who smash windscreens and damage the cars displayed on the forecourt by running across their bonnets.

Earlier this year, owner Adrian Stremel, 37, found himself with a £4,000 bill after vandals scratched 20 cars with a key in one night.

He believes youngsters, who hang around at night taking drugs, are behind the attacks.

Mr Stremel said: "About six months ago we had a load of bonnets scratched with a key.

That cost me about £4,000. Then three weeks ago we had two windscreens smashed and then on Thursday night there were four bonnets damaged because someone had been running across them. Then they kicked in the windscreens."

He says the attacks are damaging his business and his will to trade in the area.

"If you are coming to look at a car and you see all these windscreens smashed it puts you off and business is very quiet at the moment anyway. You feel is it worth carrying on?"

Mr Stremel, who has owned the business for about three years, wants action from the police but has little faith he will see any. He said: "The police say they are going to try and sort it out but then they say they are understaffed and without evidence they can't do anything."