Sliema residents have been forced again to deal with rowdy teenagers who take to the streets vandalising cars after a night out.

Resident Chris Micallef said yesterday he woke up to realise that his car’s mirror had been badly damaged.

He said a group of young tourists residing in one of the apartments in Don Rua Street, just off the Sliema Front, went on a rampage in the early hours of the morning, damaging the mirrors of about five cars.

Frustrated residents took to social media to complain about the situation, calling for some form of action against the vandals

Mr Micallef, who has filed a police report, insisted the group’s rowdy behaviour had been going on for weeks. “It’s not the first time that something like this has happened. A few days ago, someone caught them red-handed causing damage at about 6am,” he said.

He said the rowdy group of youngsters had also damaged vehicles the night before.

A few days ago, someone caught them red-handed causing damage at about 6am

“I need to replace the [car] mirror and I will have to foot the bill myself,” he told this newspaper.

Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop said the council was aware the area had been subject to such vandalism, adding that, in summer, this was a regular occurrence all over the locality.

“We receive regular reports of vandalism, especially during the summer months, when there are more young people residing in the area,” he said.

When contacted, the police confirmed they are investigating the case but said they did not yet have any information on the identity of the vandals.

The group of young tourists, believed to be Swiss or German, had also been involved in late-night brawls in the streets, often returning to the apartment drunk, Mr Micallef said.

Residents of neighbouring roads, including St John Bosco and Howard Streets, have also complained of such behaviour in the early hours of the mornings. Mr Chircop said that although the council did its best to help residents who came forward with such complaints, it could not do much other than pass on the reports to the police.

About 40 tourism police officers completed specialised training last month and were immediately deployed to patrol Sliema and St Julian’s.

They have all the powers and responsibilities of ordinary policemen, with the added duty of informing visitors of tourism-related offences and being on the lookout for them.