POLICE are carrying out door-to-door inquiries in a York suburb after a series of night-time tyre slashing sprees.

Officers are continuing to investigate a series of tyre-slashings in the Clifton area in the past 18 months. More than 100 vehicles have been affected and, despite some arrests, police have so far been unable to charge anyone due to a lack of evidence.

Now they plan to spend Sunday carrying out inquiries in the area and appealing to residents for more information.

PC Matt Smith, of the Clifton safer neighbourhoods team, said: "There was a spate in November 2006 and another one in May this year. We have arrested people in connection with it but, at the moment, the evidence we've got is not enough to charge anyone.

"The idea of the day is to re-contact each of the victims and see if we can trigger something in their minds and maybe narrow down the time frame in which the incidents happened."

The team of bobbies will spend the day based at the mobile police station, which will be parked in Bootham.

PC Smith said: "Maybe now, two months down the line, somebody who has an important bit of information and didn't know what to do with it will come forward on Sunday and talk to us about it in confidence."

The area has been plagued by car crime since a major tyre-slashing spree in November 2006, when more than 40 vehicles were targeted in one night. A further 38 vehicles were reported damaged as a result of the May attacks. In November 2006, police set up a dedicated mobile station and hotline for victims, and later held public meetings to address residents' fears.

The Press reported how the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had decided not to pursue a case against a 17-year-old who was arrested by police officers investigating the criminal damage.

The CPS defended its decision, saying the facts of each case faced two tests - whether there was enough evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and was it in the public interest to pursue it.

The decision sparked anger and frustration in the community, according to David Nicholson, chairman of the Joint Committee of Clifton Ward Residents' Associations.

A man has since been arrested in connection with the May crimewave, but again there has so far not been enough evidence to charge him. Anyone with information about the tyre slashing is asked to phone the Clifton safer neighbourhoods team on 0845 60 60 247 or visit officers at the mobile police station on Sunday.