German authorities are on the hunt for a person suspected of sneaking into gardens in northern Bavaria and slashing holes in kiddie pools, police said Thursday.

Around 40 plastic pools have met their demise since 2009, according to local police chief Alexander Benkert, who added that the technique used by the slasher always involves two parallel cuts to the upper part of the pool.

Germany’s mass circulation tabloid Bild interviewed a family in the town of Bad Kissingen whose pool was slashed by the perpetrator several days ago.

“I’ve installed a motion detector in our garden and put up a fence. Better safe than sorry,” said Eugen Frost, a 30-year-old father of two.

The motive for the crimes is unclear. If apprehended, the suspect could face up to two years in jail for wilful damage to property.