Vandals trash 22 cars during '˜mindless' wrecking spree in South Shields

Police say 22 vehicles were damaged early on Saturday morning in South Shields.

Wing mirrors were broken and some windscreens were smashed on cars in Waverdale Way, Alnwick Road, Dean Road and Brabourne Street.

A 20-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incidents, and released on police bail.

One of those affected was Eunice Brady, 49, whose car had been left overnight outside her partner’s property in Waverdale Way.

She said: “It’s just mindless. I’d almost prefer it if they had tried to steal something, because there’s absolutely no need for someone to do this.

“It’s a ridiculous thing to do and has obviously made me very angry, because it’s such an inconvenience more than anything having to have it repaired.”

A relative of another resident, who had their car windscreen smashed, said: “He works in Newcastle and is having to commute to work via the Metro and a bus, until the windscreen is repaired on Wednesday.

“That’s now taking him over an hour and is obviously a huge inconvenience.

“A lot of destruction has been caused in the area.”

A neighbour of those affected in Alnwick Road said: “It’s a really quiet area. A few cars in the street have been damaged – it seems like they just randomly targeted cars up the street.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At 2.34am on Saturday, November 19, police were informed cars were being damaged in and around Brabourne Street in South Shields. Officers attended and identified a number of cars had been damaged. A 20-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the car damages and has been released on police bail. Enquiries are ongoing. Any witnesses should ring Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 144 191116.”