Cars are smashed by vandals (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cars are smashed by vandals

A vandalised car in Branksome Road, Moredon Pic ref: 78774-211CAR owners in a Moredon street are reeling after bricks were hurled through windscreens and wing mirrors were torn off.

The Branksome Road residents were shocked to discover about eight cars had been vandalised between late on Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Some of the cars had their wing mirrors ripped off, others were left dangling by wires and many sustained dents.

A brick was also hurled at a blue Renault Megane, smashing the windscreen and denting the bonnet.

The owner, Carrey Michael, only bought the car three weeks ago.

The 39-year-old administrator said: "I can't believe it, why would anyone want to do this? I've only had the car for three weeks and now it's wrecked.

"It makes me so angry when things like this happen. I've lived round here for 12 years and the area is just getting worse and worse."

Another man, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, is angry his Ford Escort van has been targeted because he is a painter and decorator and it is the only way he can get to work. Both wing mirrors were ripped off his blue van and in its current state is illegal to drive.

"I am really angry this has happened," said the 50-year-old.

"I don't know who did it, if I did I would go after them and they'd be sorry.

"It's got to be more than one person, there's no way all these cars have been done just by one person on their own."

The bricks used to cause the damage had been ripped off another resident's garden wall.

The 65-year-old resident said: "It is disgusting they've ripped of a chunk of my wall and used to do this. It's infuriating."

People living in the street are now hoping a CCTV camera will be installed to try to prevent the vandals from striking again.

Another resident said: "I don't want big brother watching me but what other choice have we got."

Inspector Wayne Smith, of Swindon police, said: "This is probably an act of mindless vandalism that does occur from time to time when people are walking home from town after consuming large amounts of alcohol.

"It is unfortunate that it is one of those things that happens and I understand it is very upsetting for the owners of the damaged cars. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who has information and we will try to catch the offenders."

Call Swindon police on 01793 528111 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"I phoned the police to tell them what had happened but they didn't want to know. They just said they would try and send someone out after I started to get angry on the phone.

This isn't the first time crime like this has happened round here."

Lyndsay Scanlan