A CRAZED man smashed up a car with a hammer.

Neighbours watched in horror as he went berserk on the Renault Clio parked in St George’s Drive, Westcliff.

They were woken in the early hours of Saturday by the sound of glass shattering.

Some ran out of their homes at about 3am and discovered the man smashing a hammer into the silver car.

He smashed every one of the car’s windows, destroyed a wing mirror and extensively damaged the bodywork before police arrived.

There was blood on the car, believed to be from the culprit, who cut himself during his wrecking frenzy.

Neighbour Alan Graham, 62, said: “I heard all this noise, so I went outside to see what was happening.

“The bloke was just going absolutely berserk, smashing up this car.

“I’ve no idea what prompted it.”

Police said a 39-year-old man from Southend had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

The Echo was unable to trace the owner of the car.