VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they targeted two lifeboats.

Police on the Isle of Wight are hunting for the culprits who put two RIBS out of action after stabbing them multiple times.

The boats, which were damaged sometime between 3.30pm on Sunday and 7.30pm on Monday, have been taken out of action while they are repaired.

PC Sam Burrows who is investigating said: “We’d like to speak to anyone who may have information in relation to upwards of £10,000 worth of damage to boats belonging to Ryde Inshore Rescue.

“This thoughtless act means that Ryde Inshore Rescue is unable to launch craft at present. Any response times to incidents will be at least doubled and will put a strain on rescue services both on the Island and the mainland.”

Anyone with any information should contact PC Burrows at Ryde on 101 or Crimestoppers anony-mously on 0800 555 111.