A VILLAGE has been hit with a spate of tyre-slashing for the second time in a year.

Thirteen residents in a half-mile area of Station Town, in east Durham, woke to find their vehicles had been targeted early on Saturday.

Cars parked in Front Street, Millbank Terrace, Brackendale Court and Dormand Court were attacked, some having a single tyre slashed, but others with two, three or four attacked and damaged.

Police said a similar attack took place about a year ago in the neighbourhood, and some of the victims are angry after being hit for the second time.

Last year's incident has so far remained undetected.

PC Mick Craggs, of Peterlee Police, said the first report was received at about 7.30am on Saturday, although some residents have since said they heard shouting and what sounded like a minor disturbance between midnight and 3am.

He said: "The damage looks to have been caused by a knife and the total bill is expected to tally up to hundreds of pounds, at least.

"There doesn't appear to have been any witnesses at this stage, but we'll be contacting local shops and other premises in the area.

"We hope they might have security camera footage to help us to identify who is behind this vandalism."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Peterlee Police office on 0845-60 60 365, or the Crimestoppers freephone line, (0800) 555111.