TERRIFIED motorists looked on helplessly from their cars when thugs launched a spree of violence on queuing traffic in Southampton today.

Drivers watched in horror as two men hurled stones and missiles and kicked out at vehicles in West End Road, Bitterne, at 11am today.

The men launched their attack as drivers were waiting at traffic lights – even trying to snatch away a pet dog from a car.

Now two men are being quizzed in custody in connection with the attack.

The pair aged 33 and 29, both from Southampton, were arrested on suspicion of causing a public order offence.

One witness who was too scared to give her name said the men approached her.

She said: “They were attacking cars stuck at the traffic lights bumper to bumper.

“They were hitting and kicking the car in front  and throwing boulders.

“One of them leaned through the passenger window and tried to get my dog who was terrified.

“The lights changed and I was able to pull off.

The woman said she was shaken and added: “The car was covered in mud and the windscreen is chipped.”

She said the men were believed to have been arrested near the Big Cheese close to the roundabout near Townhill Way.

At least six police cars are believed to have been called.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said officers were called to West End Road at 11.03am and said “There were reports of two men trying to stop cars, fighting between themselves, vehicles being kicked and the men trying to take a dog out of a car.

“Two men aged 33 and 29 both from Southampton have been arrested on suspicion of a Section Five public order offence.”