GANGS of teenage tearaways are believed to have caused £5,500 worth of damage to ten new cars during a brick attack on a dealer's forecourt.

Windscreens were shattered and bodywork dented on cars at Lookers Vauxhall, on Knowsley Road when house bricks were hurled over a fence.

The vandalism happened between Thursday, September 2 and the morning of September 3. It followed an earlier incident on the Thursday afternoon.

Management of the car dealers say they have been plagued by young hooligans and are calling for an increased police presence and quicker response times.

Paul Byron, general manger, said: "The problems have been going on for the past two months but we are not getting anywhere. The cars will have to go to garages for repairs - instead of their new owners.

"We phoned the police on Thursday but it took them nearly seven hours to turn up. They chased the kids off and we asked the police to keep an eye on the place overnight. We came in the next morning and all the cars were smashed up by house bricks. We've reported problems on numerous occasions but don't seem to get help and support."

But, in a statement, neighbourhood Inspector Don Blackburn said police were targeting the area: "We are taking the matter very seriously and are actively investigating a number of incidents at the site. I have deployed officers to target this area and we are examining CCTV footage from the scene."

The gangs who allegedly caused the damage are made up of both girls and boys, aged in their teens, who congregate in Linear Park.

Insp Blackburn added: "The Linear Park area, which runs alongside the Vauxhall site, is an area where youths are known to congregate and police and Community Support Officers regularly patrol there, talking to youths and moving them on from the footpath close to the Vauxhall site.

"We are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and are concentrating a great deal of our efforts around Knowsley Road."

He added that funding has been secured to regenerate the area and the police's crime reduction officer will work closely with the dealership on security issues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.