Police say they are no closer to nailing the ‘madman’ who has targeted a busy housing estate

POLICE say they are no closer to nailing a “madman” who has been spreading razor sharp tacks across an Axminster housing estate.

The bizarre series of attacks on streets around Brunenburg Way began two years ago, leaving residents fearing for their safety.

Several residents have had their car tyres punctured – and they have warned that someone could die in a high speed blow-out.

Police say the latest attacks have pushed town crime figures up – against the trend – and they are still working hard to catch the culprit.

Margaret Spencer-Brown, who is logging the attacks for the police, and has installed CCTV outside her bungalow, says things have gone quiet again.

“It seems to have eased up but people in Woodbury Way still seem to be getting punctures,” she said.

“It almost seems someone is going for individuals, maybe putting them on drives, we really do not know.

“They have not been out on the road for a while though I feel I am tempting it to happen again by saying that. We still check for tacks before we go out.”

PCSO Andy Trott has appealed for help to catch the villain.

He told The Herald: “This is a difficult one because it does not happen on a regular basis.

“We want to hear from anyone who has noticed tacks missing from their garage or shed. We are also checking with all the hardware stores to see if someone has purchased a large amount of tacks.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on their non emergency umber – 101 – quoting reference KA11 458 KA111 459 log number 360.