STUDENTS have had their cars ‘vandalised’ with oil in what is claimed to be a spat over on-street parking.

Between 10 and 12 cars belonging to Burnham Grammar School students were blemished with what it is claimed was car oil in nearby Hatchgate Gardens and Green Lane on May 5 and 9 respectively.

The vehicles belong to sixth form students who have since broken up for their exams and they were forced to scrub the oil off their windscreens with the help of the school following the incidents.

The Observer has been told that both occasions were reported to police but a mystery offender is yet to be identified.

The school has said that the residents nearby are supportive and it is doing its best to improve parking provision for students.

One 18-year-old student at the school, who did not wish to be named, said the oil had damaged the paintwork on a friend’s vehicle.

She said older students had had a history of parking in the unregulated area for years where there are no yellow lines.

She said: “It is dangerous because people may have to drive home with this oil on their windscreen.

“Students always park on the road but there are no restrictions. Some residents have signs saying ‘please do not park there’. There is no parking at school so there is no other choice.”

She added: “The people who are parking there are not infringing the law by parking there - people have been parking there for so long it just means there is a problem with it this year.”

Headteacher at the school in Hogfair Lane, Dr Andrew Gillespie, said: “We work hard to make sure that any students who drive park considerately and legally and monitor their parking to ensure that this is the case.

“Through the redevelopment of the school site we are working to ensure that parking provision is adequate for a school of this size.

“We are keen to work with the very supportive local residents to make sure that the actions of the school community enhances the quality of life of the local community.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 2.09pm on May 5 to a report of criminal damage on Green Lane, Slough. It is reported that cooking oil was found on a number of car windscreens.

"An incident was also reported on vehicles in Hatchgate Gardens, Burnham at approximately 12.30pm on May 9.

"Additional patrols have taken place in the area. If anyone witnessed any of the incidents or has any information, please call Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting incident number 868 of May 5 or 579 of May 9."