TAXI drivers in Southampton have joined efforts to track down the thieves and vandals who struck the city’s Zany Zebra Trail.

Six sculptures have been damaged and one has been stolen since the trail was launched last month, and the city council says more staff will now be monitoring CCTV cameras as a result.

Hampshire Constabulary is continuing to investigate the disappearance of the missing Ticket to Ride sculpture, which was stolen from its plinth in Vincents Walk. 

Two more of the sculptures, designed to raise awareness of the endangered Grevy’s zebras, were vandalised in Palmerston and East parks over the weekend.

Daily Echo:

'Zebraversity' is one of six sculptures damaged in recent weeks (Photo: Amy Grinstead)

City firm Radio Taxis says its 450 drivers will now be on the look-out for anyone acting suspiciously near the sculptures.

Radio Taxis director Perry McMillan said: “We want the culprits to know that we will be watching 24/7.

“Drivers will be quite vigilant in looking for people who look like they’re up to no good with these zebras. We will have eyes and ears everywhere.

“We’re not asking drivers to get involved in any incidents. We’re just getting them to report what they see.

“We’re quite proud of having things like the zebras in the city so we’re disappointed people have been vandalising them and stealing them.

“These criminals are hurting the kids. Young kids get really sad when they see this has happened.”

A spokesman from Southampton City Council said: “The council is standing side by side with Marwell and Hampshire Constabulary in the face of the recent vandalism of some of the Marwell’s Zany Zebras.

“We are also working closely with our partners at City Watch CCTV along with local businesses including taxi drivers and licensed premises to increase the number of people keeping an eye on key sites in the city centre.

“This extra collective vigilance will be used to deter future vandalism and increase the chance of catching any individual who chooses to engage in this type of criminal behaviour.”

Since the trail was launched on July 16, six of the 150 zebras have been vandalised, many being pushed from their plinths, causing them to need hundreds of pounds worth of repairs.

Anyone with any information about the vandalism or thefts can call officers on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

People can also call the zoo’s special hotline on 01962 770503.