POLICE are investigating reports that a gang of thugs with knives slashed the tyres of a car in York city centre.

A doorman, who does not want to be named and works at a city centre nightclub venue, claims that he returned to his car after a shift to find all four of the tyres slashed, on Sunday, July 17, around 2am.

And he said another security staff member suffered a facial injury.

The doorman claims that he went to park his car in a staff car park down an alleyway between the Artful Dodger and Ziggy’s, on Micklegate, but found that this entrance was blocked by a group of 20 to 30 men.

He said the men were aged between 30 to 50, dressed in motorbike leathers, with the same motif on the back, and tattoos on their faces and heads and that one of the men had a ‘captain logo’ on his motif.

He said he asked them to move aside so he could park his car but began arguing with one of them as he had clipped him with his wing mirror, as they were still blocking his way.

The doorman returned to his car after work and found all four of his car tyres has been slashed.

CCTV footage revealed that the same man he’d argued with had flicked open a butterfly knife and damaged his tyres.

He reported the incident to North Yorkshire Police and officers have told the Press that an area search was carried out aided by CCTV operators.

They say enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspects and secure information and evidence.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to use the online reporting tool on the North Yorkshire Police website or to call 101.

To make an anonymous report, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting reference 122230124438.