The Banbury cab drivers, who are mainly of Pakistani origin, have been rocked by a spate of vandalism in which seven taxis were systematically daubed with racist graffiti.

From the phrases and names written on the panels of the white hackney cabs it is believed the graffiti was the work of a gang from the estate.

Seven taxis were vandalised while they were parked outside their owners homes in Bath Road, Queen's Road, King's Road and Warwick Road between midnight on Sunday and 9am on Monday morning.

The phrases included the signature Jonjo, the racist slur 'Paki scum', four letter swearwords and the slogan Bretch Hill Army.

The graffiti has caused outrage among supporters of Banbury District Racial Equality Council (BDREC) who said the vandalism shows a complete lack of respect for the town's Asian community.

Chair of BDREC Margaret Ferriman said: "This is absolutely appalling and is not only revealing racism but a complete lack of consideration for these peoples livelihoods which must be endangered by this sort of behaviour.

"I thought people in Banbury were better than this. It shows a complete ignorance for the work these people are doing by vandalising the cars which they are trying to earn a living from."

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