A criminal behaviour expert has likened the spate of vandalism to more than 300 cars in High Wycombe to the London Riots of 2011.

Areas in the town have been targeted by vandals over the last two months in what investigators now believe are “copycat” attacks.

This week, senior Criminology lecturer at Bucks New University, Peter Eley, says communication is the key to fighting the vandalism.

He added: “These types of incidents normally begin with a cause and then continue with events that suggest that a ‘copycat’ nature of certain relations escalated and led to some residents attacking their own communities whilst forgetting the original point.

“Incidents such as the Meadow Well Riots in Newcastle in 1991 and the riots of summer 2011 would be testimony to this.

“Dialogue between communities and authorities and investigation into any underlying issues in these areas, such as deprivation and the provision of facilities, is vital.

“How to stop it is a difficult question. The harsher any policing, punishment or perceived injustice is, the more likely there is to be a reaction to it.”

Last week, Wycombe Superintendent Ed McLean slammed the vandals and described the spree as 'unprecedented'.

And, in this week’s Bucks Free Press a special report condemned the people behind the attacks.