A NUMBER of cars were damaged in the Woodfords and Salisbury during the early hours of this morning. 

From about 3am, police received a number of reports of vehicles being damaged in the area.

Officers were initially called to reports of two windows being smashed by what is believed to be a catapult outside an address in Lower Woodford.

A dark-coloured vehicle is reported to have driven past the address with full beams on.

Police say it did not slow down, however, the hazard lights of the damaged vehicle were activated as the vehicle drove past.

The owner of the vehicle was woken up by the smashing of the windows at approximately 3.10am and immediately went outside to check the damage.

At 4.22am, officers found further vehicles damaged in the Woodford Valley and Salisbury area, including Alexandra Road, Wilton Road and Pembroke Road.

Some of the vehicles damaged include a grey Nissan note, a green Toyota, a silver Saab, a blue Renault Clio and a white Vauxhall Vivaro.

Inspector Ricky Lee said: “We are continuing to receive a number of reports of this nature as people wake up to find their vehicles damaged.

“We believe all of these incidents are linked. It would appear that small objects, possibly ball bearings, have been catapulted at windows of vehicles by someone in a moving vehicle during the early hours of this morning.

“This is nothing but mindless vandalism and is both upsetting and inconvenient for the vehicle owners, many of whom have been unable to get to work or go about their daily routines this morning as a result of this reckless behaviour.

“I would like to reassure members of the community that we are carrying out a thorough investigation into these incidents and would like to appeal to anyone who saw a dark coloured vehicle in the Salisbury or Woodford areas between the hours of 3am and 5am to get in touch.”

Jody Everett who found his car window smashed in Wilton Road says he is fuming that his car has been damaged for a second time in three months.

"I am annoyed and upset; this is completely needless and pointless," he said. 

"I am fuming that such needless damage means that now I have waste time and effort putting things right before I can do any work.

"The earliest time the car can be repaired this time is tomorrow so the car is even at risk because of these idiots."

He said the damage is likely to affect his insurance premiums and also meant he was unable to drive to work this morning. 

Anyone with information should call PC Alex Collins on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.