RACIST vandals scrawled "vile" slogans on two Bolton taxis.

Swastikas and the initials EDL were daubed on two cabs, along with other “vile and upsetting” racist graffiti — with one cab being smashed up.

Mazhar Iqbal foudn the offensive graffiti on his Toyota Avensis as he was leaving his home in Moses Gate to take his children, aged 13, seven and three, to school yesterday morning.

It is the second time Mr Iqbal has been targeted - a month ago the tyres on the taxi were slashed.

The 33-year-old said: “Why would someone do this? My children saw this and are so upset.

“I can’t believe it. I am also very upset.”

The driver for S&D Village Cabs said he had parked up outside his house after 1am yesterday after a night shift.

He said: “We only saw what had happened as we went to get in the car in the morning. I have reported it to police but I don’t think the car can be repaired.

“I was targeted a month ago, when my tyres were flat.

“When I took them to the garage I was told someone had cut my tyres with a knife.

“I will have to see where I stand with insurance. I don’t know yet.

“I cannot work without a car.

“If anyone knows anything please contact the police.”

A second driver, Imran Mulla, said his work colleagues discovered the graffiti as he drove to work early yesterday.

His car was not smashed up but it cost £200 to remove the graffiti.

The father-of-three said his car was damaged between Thursday night and Friday morning, outside his home in Deane.

He said: “Having your property damaged is upsetting but to have the racist element as well makes it even worse.

“If anyone has a problem with me why did they not knock on my door like a man?”

Mr Mulla said his friends in the area were looking at CCTV footage in a bid to catch the culprits.

The 42-year-old said: “I am Bolton born and bred and I love it here.

“This is my country and they cannot take that away from me.

“I cannot hide this from my 10-year-old son because this is the reality.”

Police said both incidents had been reported and were being investigated.

A spokesman said the incidents were being treated as racially aggravated criminal damage.