The Subaru impounded after it was seen ripping up the Celtic sports grounds on Rockdale Rd.

Police say no charges have been laid but strong leads are being followed up, as they search for the drivers responsible for tearing up a Timaru sports ground.

Meanwhile, members of the public are calling for harsh punishments for the vandals.

Senior Constable Paul Hampton said the cars were doing burnouts before being spotted by people near the Celtic sports ground around 11pm on Saturday.

John Bisset The Nissan impounded after it was seen ripping up a rugby field on Rockdale Rd. Nearby motorists blocked the exit until police arrived.

The witnesses took matters into their own hands by parking their cars at the entrance of the ground, leaving the drivers with no way out.

The drivers abandoned their vehicles and were chased by police dogs, but managed to evade police. Police believe they may have been picked up by another motorist near Rockdale Rd.

READ MORE: Boy racers cornered on rugby field

John Bisset/Fairfax NZ The Celtic sports ground on Rockdale Rd in Timaru was ripped up by boy racers at the weekend.

Timaru police have impounded the Subaru and Nissan and know who owns the vehicles corresponding with the number plates. On Monday Hampton said those responsible were "welcome" to talk to police about their vehicles.

Constable Kieran Parsons, who was at the scene, said no charges had been laid, but the investigation was going well. He could not confirm whether the alleged culprits had a history of vandalising property.

"When I turned up I was straight in with the dog handlers.

"We're currently investigating. We do have positive leads to follow," Parsons said.

The vandalism has stirred a scathing response on social media, with commenters on The Timaru Herald's Facebook page calling for the cars to be crushed and for the boy racers to fix the sports ground.

Corrina Worthington wanted the drivers "named and shamed".

"Then get the little buggers to come and work at resowing it all by hand!"

Sue Howes believed the motorists should be made to sell their cars, "and also find out what hard work is all about, and be made to help fix it in the months to come, and give up their time".

Another reader, James Dromgool, suggested the cars should be crushed.

"When is the advertisement going up for the very public car crushing that should also be happening?" he asked.

Annette Mason believed the cars should be sold to cover the cost of tidying up the field.

"Stupid, irresponsible, selfish behaviour that needs the community and police to respond accordingly".

Bryan Hunt labelled the vandals' actions "disgusting".

"This is not only a rugby ground where young kids and adults play their rugby, but also a cricket ground. With the work that goes into preparing a cricket wicket, and outfield, there is no way that will be ready in time. Selfish, pathetic behaviour," he wrote.

Hampton said "often what we get is 'someone stole my car'."

Celtic Rugby Club president Bede O'Driscoll said he had received a number of calls about the incident. A few callers had offered their time to help repair the field.

A decision on whether junior rugby will be played on the field on Saturday will be made on Wednesday.