A “NASTY spate of vandalism” which has seen cars’ wing mirrors ripped off and tyres slashed has prompted police to launch overnight patrols.

A number of cars are said to have been wrecked along Symons Avenue, Green Lane and Flamboro Close in Eastwood.

Now, a rise in the number of attacks over recent weeks has forced Essex Police to take action to stop the attacks.

A witness, who asked not to be named, heard a neighbour’s car being smashed up on Symons Avenue at 2am on Wednesday morning.

He said: “I heard two loud bangs at around 2am, so I threw something on to wear and popped outside to see what it was. I didn’t find anyone or anything as it took me a couple minutes to get dressed. I only noticed the smashed windscreen on the neighbour’s car when I walked the dog a few hours later.

“Evidently, a few other cars had their screens smashed the same night. What possesses people to do something like this is beyond me.”

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Eastwood resident, Verina Weaver, 65, heard it has been happening every single night over the past few weeks.

She said: “From what I’ve been told it’s a gang of youngsters who are drinking and then wait until around 1am to target the area. They seem to be targeting cars parked near alleyways.

“It’s worrying. It’s not just a little bit of vandalism. They’re having their windscreens smashed and wing mirrors pulled off.

“What we don’t want is for it to spread outside the area.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are aware of the issue and we have examined a number of reports.

“As a result, focused patrols will be in place overnight in the area and we would encourage anyone who wants to speak to our officers about the issue to do so.

“The more reports we receive, the better the intelligence picture we can build and the more effective we can be in tackling issues such as criminal damage and antisocial behaviour.”