This is no yolk

9:00am Saturday 4th August 2007

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UNSUSPECTING punters popping out for a cigarette in Old Town have come under fire from a group of egg-wielding yobs.

Customers standing outside venues including the Victoria and Roaring Donkey have had to duck for cover as the shells fly out from passing car windows.

Police are hunting for the culprits, who may yet be caught thanks to the quick-thinking co-owner of the Victoria.

Anna Sprawson, of the Victoria pub, got so fed up with constantly cleaning the windows that she lay in wait with a pen and paper a fortnight ago.

She said: "It seemed to be just one car so I decided to get the number plate and report it to the police.

"It was a black Ford Focus with sports-style wheels, so it was quite easy to recognise.

"Someone had already thrown a few eggs that night so I was ready when it came back again."

Anna reported the car to the police and was told that it had been spotted elsewhere in Old Town.

Ted Kukielko, the landlord of the Roaring Donkey, said: "It's been going on for months and it's a real pain.

"Before the smoking ban came in they just threw the eggs inside the door but now it's smokers bearing the brunt of it.

"They do it at all times of the evening, whenever people are coming in and out."

In May pensioner David Cummings was left with a permanent ringing in his ears when an egg hit him as he walked home from choir practice.

Mr Cummings had left Christ Church and was on his way to Cirencester Court when he believes the egg was thrown from a car.

Gafyn Lloyd, 31, who works at Longs bar, was out with friends on July 14 when one of them was hit by an egg as they walked down Victoria Road.

"It was all on the side of her face and in her hair and it dripped on her top," he said, "It ruined her night."

Old Town community beat manager PC Tim North said: "We have a car of people going round chucking eggs at people.

"It has been going on a while but we are having more with the smoking ban, where people are standing outside the front of pubs.

"We would like to hear from anyone who has had this happen and not reported it.

"We are particularly interested if anyone from previous matters has any details of the vehicle."

Police say they are taking the matter seriously.

"Obviously, if somebody has been hit then that constitutes an assault," PC North said.

"If the egg has missed but the person has been shaken we can look at public nuisance issues. We have got to find a way of stopping it. We seem to be having a spate of it."

PC North said the egg throwers have been striking outside pubs, curry houses and takeaways along Victoria Road and in Old Town.

"It's places where people are stood outside," he said. "Particularly now that the smoking ban has come in."

Anyone with information should call PC North at Swindon police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.