HAMPSHIRE drivers have been left counting the cost of vandalism to their vehicles over the Christmas period.

Almost thirty cars in Southampton have been damaged during the holidays with the hots spots being Regents Park, Shirley and Freemantle. 

Christopher Turner from Regents Park said: "My daughters car was targeted a couple of days before Christmas.

"She was really upset and had to cancel her Christmas plans, she was unable to do her Christmas shopping or visit her friends.

"This is not an isolated incident, it has happened to lots of cars in our area and I want to make people that their car could be targeted next.

"If there was a bigger police presence then I do not think it would be happening and the perpetrators would definitely be caught.

"People are doing it because they think they can get away with it and effectively they are," said Mr Turner.

Christopher said that there was £150 worth of damage to his daughters car on the driver's wing mirror and she is now afraid to park her car outside of their home. 

On Christmas day, another Southampton residents car was also targeted. 

Bethany, 24 of Cawte Road said: "It really ruined my day once I realised it had happened. It is an incredibly selfish thing to do."

Police have received a flood of criminal damage reports this month, with the majority coming from car owners in Regents Park Road, Waterhouse Way, Millbrook Road West and English Road. 

Southampton West Neighbourhood Inspector Ivan Marshman said: “We are appealing to anyone who heard or saw anything around this time to contact us with information.

"We are particularly keen to speak to anyone with dash cams or private CCTV. Please call 101.” 

Police have also said that they are appealing for witnesses after a spate of criminal damage caused to vehicles in the early hours of the morning on December 11.

They were called just before 3.30am to reports of three young people seen to be causing damage to parked vehicles along Regents Park Road. 

Although officers attended the area and saw a number of cars had been damaged it has not been established that the incidents are linked. 

Officers stopped and spoke with two men in the area however no arrests were made.