THE boss of a Bradford minicab hire firm has condemned a wave of stone and brick attacks on its vehicles by children as young as eight.

Staff at Euro Cars Private Hire Ltd, based in Tong Street, say they have been subject to 30 attacks on the firm's cars over the last six months in and around the Tong and Holme Wood areas.

Missiles have left cab windows have been smashed or cracked and bodywork dented.

Areas where they have been targeted include Broadstone Way, Tong Street, Dawson Lane and Knowles Lane where police have now stepped up patrols.

Children estimated to be aged between eight and 16 have been carrying out the attacks, throwing large stones and bricks.

One Euro Cars driver, who did not want to be named, said: "It's got worse over the last couple of weeks.

"I don't feel safe at times. If we would confront them we might get attacked ourselves.

"All we want to do is come out and make a living. Enough is enough.

"It's not safe anymore around Holme Wood. I've been targeted about four or five times in the last two weeks.

"None of the drivers want to come forward about it through fear of reprisals. It's happening every night.

"I'm thinking of changing jobs, it's got that bad."

Ken Ives, Euro Cars general manager, said: "These repairs are costing a lot of money.

"It's shocking that youths aged between eight and 16 are doing this.

"It's happened dozens of times. There must have been about 30 occasions in the last six months.

"Drivers are reporting them to ourselves and the police all of the time.

"It is something that we could do without.

"There is no problem during the day but it gets worse from early evening.

"Maybe the youths are doing this through boredom.There might not be enough for them to do around here."

Sergeant Jane Dickerson, of the Bradford South Area Neighbourhood Team, said: "We are aware there have been some incidents involving youths throwing objects at taxis in the Holme Wood area.

"We have increased patrols in the area to help us identify any suspects, and have also spoken to the drivers about these incidents.

"I would urge anyone who suffers damage to their vehicle as a result of a similar attack, to report these incidents to the police as soon as possible and provide us with as much information as they can about the perpetrators.

"Throwing objects at cars is highly dangerous and could potentially lead to an incident which could result in serious injuries or worse for the occupants of the car, or the offender(s)."

Councillor John Ruding (Lab, Tong) said: "These kind of incidents are deplorable.

"They are not just alarming but dangerous to the drivers and passengers."

MORE TOP STORIES