AN angry Halliwell resident has hit out at vandals who continually damage cars parked outside homes.

Beverley Jones, of Maplewood Gardens, bought a K-reg Ford Escort only two weeks ago and already the side panels have been scratched.

Now she will be forced take her car in for £200 worth of repairs.

Her previous car was also vandalised - twice. The first time, the Fiat needed a respray after the side panels were badly scratched only three days after Beverley bought the car.

Six weeks ago, the bonnet was damaged. It was the last straw and Beverley decided to sell the Fiat in the vain hope her luck would change.

Vandals have also damaged the bonnet and panels of neighbour Paul Mulligan's H-reg Escort. The bodywork of a Fiat owned by Mrs Jane Mulligan has also been extensively scratched.

"Paul is not bothering with repairs. He doesn't see the point when the same thing may happen again," said Beverley.

Mr Mulligan refused to take delivery of his Escort until he came back from holiday in an unsuccessful attempt to beat the vandals.

Another resident has found long scratches down the side panels of their new car recently.

Beverley has lived in Maplewood Gardens for about a year and says vandalism has been going on all the time.

"We live at the top end of a cul-de-sac with a mill wall around us," she said.

"The vandals can't be seen from the main road and there is no passing trade. They are making a deliberate foray to damage our cars.

"There are no garages and we park outside our houses. They may scratch them in anger when they realise they can't break in."

Police are patrolling the area and have visited the scene to take statements from residents. "I don't know what is in their minds but the damaged cars are all quite new and I think the vandals are jealous of what they can't have."

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