One of two seemingly abandoned cars in Alton is set to be removed - but the other may still be around for a while yet.

A dog walker identifying themselves as a “concerned citizen” complained to the Herald about a blue Ford Focus in Kings Road and a silver Toyota in Whitedown Lane.

They said: “I walk my dog regularly along Kings Road in Alton, a walk I have been making for decades. I continue my walk along Whitedown Lane, on to Basingstoke Road and then along the beautiful Flood Meadows. This walk is the absolute highlight of my day and one I look forward to.

“Now I see on Kings Road a car left permanently covered in police tape, with smashed windows and no mirrors, left open to the environment. About 100 metres away on Whitedown Lane is another car - damaged, vandalised, with the number plate destroyed.

“This once peaceful, beautiful area has been left to look like a deserted crime scene by both the police and the council.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is aware of both cars - hence the tape on the Focus pictured - but dealing with them is East Hampshire District Council’s responsibility.

A police spokesperson said: “In the circumstances of police receiving reports of abandoned vehicles, the information is noted and passed over to the council for them to action, as per the information listed on the East Hampshire District Council website.”

To be classed as abandoned a vehicle must be untaxed and meet at least three criteria out of a list of 16 examples of damaged or missing parts on the council website.

The gov.uk website shows that the Focus is taxed until September 1 and has a valid MoT test certificate until January 27.

But the dog walker was concerned about indirect consequences of leaving damaged cars on roads.

They said: “This has been the state of affairs for months, with no sign of improvement - these vehicles are just getting worse and worse.

“The Broken Windows Theory suggests that visible signs of disorder, like broken windows or graffiti, encourage further crime and anti-social behaviour, and that maintaining order can help prevent more serious offences.

“Where is the line in the sand?”

However, half of the fears of the “concerned citizen” are set to be allayed.

A district council spokesperson said: “Both cars were part of a police investigation, so we have been reluctant to move them while that continued.

“The police are now happy that we remove the blue Ford Focus. We have contacted the registered keeper and have advised them that we will remove their car in the next few days.

“The silver Toyota is not parked dangerously and is in good condition. We are aware of it and looking into its ownership, but while a car is taxed and legally parked it is difficult for us to remove it.

“There is always a possibility that an owner may yet return to claim it, so we can't scrap a car unless very specific legal criteria have been met.”