A FED UP Atherton resident is calling for more street lighting and better policing after several cars had their tyres slashed on New Year's Eve.

Cars parked on the streets from Mealhouse Lane to areas of Hag Fold estate were targeted by vandals who slashed tyres, leaving owners with unwelcome bills of up to £250.

One resident was horrified to find the tyres of her visitor's car destroyed, she said: "I had company for New Year and when they left at 1.30am we found all four of their car's tyres slashed -- my car was missed. I felt almost responsible because they were visiting me. An expense like this is unpleasant at any time of year, but with new year being a notoriously lean time for most families it's twice as painful. Then of course was the added headache of finding a tyre sales or repair garage open on New Year's Day."

She also pointed out that anyone unable to replace their tyres on New Year's Day was forced to miss their first day back to work on Wednesday. She stressed that this isn't the first time the area has been a target of vandalism.

She said: "This situation is disgusting but unfortunately, it's what we have grown to expect in an area which is under policed and inadequately lit. After dusk the bus shelters in our town centre transform into a trendy meeting place for under-aged drinkers and viewing stands for the boy racers, who entertain their fans from the town centre car parks -- it's like a scene from Grease." She believes people's confidence in the police has diminished: "People don't see the point in reporting such matters because there is never a noticable improvement in the situation. The town centre may be undergoing a face-lift, but these problems remain unaddressed and just how long do the 'powers that be' think the face-lift will last, with these bored kids allowed to continue their anti-social behaviour?"

Facilities

Since the problem is nationwide, not only in Atherton, she is aware there is no simple solution: "We can't win. There are no facilities for teenagers, and even if there were you have to get them interested. In the meantime more policing and better street lighting would make the town centre a safer place, especially for those of us who live here and have to put up with it constantly."

A police spokesman said: "Trouble with youths is a continual problem that is being dealt with. We have only had one incident of slashed tyres reported to us over the New Year period. If there have been more I would invite people to report them, so we can investigate the situation."