POLICE have released CCTV footage of a group of young people in a last bid to catch those responsible for a trail of destruction in Cottingham.
Vandals smashed hanging baskets belonging to the elderly and damaged garden walls in the village centre.
Coping stones from the walls were damaged and two baskets were hurled across the street along Northgate and Cannongate.
Police believe a group of youths spotted at the Sewell 24-hour petrol station earlier in the evening may have been involved.
The nine teenagers were caught on CCTV in the forecourt as they stopped to visit the shop and now the footage has been released in a bid to track them down.
PC Steve Morley, who is leading the investigation, said: "We have had no new lines of inquiry and this CCTV footage is the ace up our sleeve.
"We have had no more leads since our last appeal.
"I am appealing for those on the footage to come forward if they recognise themselves.
"We have managed to follow the group through a number of cameras but, unfortunately, there weren't any where it happened."
PC Morley believes the youngsters had been to a party earlier in the evening.
He said: "We believe there was a house party nearby in Park Avenue, which is where we think they have come from.
"I suspect someone in that group is responsible.
"I am appealing to anyone in the group to come forward and speak to me or Crimestoppers in confidence.
"Maybe someone in the group doesn't agree with this behaviour. I just hope someone will come forward."
PC Morley does not believe those involved set out to cause trouble. He said: "My first impression by looking at the CCTV is that these don't look like bad kids.
"They seem like ordinary young people who didn't go out with the intention of getting into bother but alcohol played a part.
"Perhaps the parents will recognise them and come forward."
The vandalism has caused great stress to the victims, according to PC Morley.
He said: "Most of the victims were elderly and take great pride in their gardens.
"It has been very upsetting for them to wake up to such mindless vandalism.
"We estimate the cost of the damage is about £400 but many of those affected are too old to carry out the repairs themselves, so it will cost more to bring tradesmen in to do it."
The suspects are not known to Cottingham police and inquiries at the high school have drawn a blank.
Officers believe they are from outside the village.
The gardens were smashed overnight from Saturday, August 3, to Sunday, August 4, possibly at about 2am.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
