Overview

• Portchester Autos says it has recently handled about eight to ten vehicles with fox‑related damage to brake lines or ABS wiring.
• Window cleaner Terry Stroud reported losing braking in his van before stopping with the handbrake, later paying about £350 for repairs.
• Resident Annmarie Stallard says her ABS cables were chewed twice in a month last year, leading her to use prickle mats and armoured trunking, with repairs around £120 per side.
• Residents are trying deterrents including chilli powder, garlic spray and Vicks VapoRub, while also reporting scratches to cars, fouling in gardens and damage to outdoor items.
• The AA and deterrence firm Foxagon have speculated that cable casings using animal fats or soy, or attraction to brake fluid, may be drawing foxes and suggest metal cable protectors, with no official control effort reported.