Angry residents have criticised vandals who damaged more than 15 cars in Chippenham.

Over a period of two weeks in May, cars in Ashfield Road, Malmesbury Road and Sheldon Road were sprayed with aerosol paint and their windows were smashed.

Caroline Thatcher, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator in Ashfield Road, and her husband Mike were furious to discover at least nine cars had been damaged in the street in one night.

Mrs Thatcher said: “Everyone was out talking about what had happened and we are all just so angry.

“They sprayed paint across about nine cars parked on one side of the road – we think they must have driven past with the can out the window because nobody heard anything unusual.

“It is so annoying for everybody affected. Most people have managed to remove the paint now, but it was quite scary really. Next time they could use a screwdriver. You have to keep your eye out all the time.”

Neighbour Krishne Gurung said: “When I noticed the paint on my car I was so annoyed because I have only had the car about three months.

“I managed to remove all the paint but it wasn’t easy to get off.”

Sergeant Alan George, head of Chippenham Neighbourhood Policing Team, said they believe a total of 16 cars had been damaged in mid-May but since then they have had no further reports.

He added: “We are positively investigating these crimes and urge anyone with any information to step forward.”

Witnesses should contact Sergeant George on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.