Residents in Southampton and Romsey are facing bills after vandals smashed almost 50 parked cars in a drive-by attack

Marbles and other objects were fired at almost 50 parked cars in a series of overnight crime sprees.

The attacks were centred around the wider Shirley, Millbrook and Lordshill areas along with Rownhams and Romsey.

Car windows were smashed on 44 vehicles, leaving owners have to deal with insurance claims and facing repair bills.

Claire Vaudin's Vauxall Vectra was one of the vehicles targeted. She had to pay an insurance excess of £75 to repair the rear passenger window.

The 43-year-old said: “I had only just had one of the windows repaired and when I saw a few other cars on the road had their windows smashed, my heart sank for them.

“It was only when I got home I realised the back quarter light window was smashed too, I couldn't believe it.

“Why do people think this sort of thing is funny? I certainly don't. It has cost me money and no doubt will push up the insurance premiums around here.”

Claire's car was one of a number targeted on Teme Crescent in Southampton by vandals using a marble, which she found lying next to her car.

“I remember hearing a car alarm going off and hearing tyres screeching away, it must have been them,” she added.

Most cars along the road have now been repaired but shattered glass can been seen at a number of places along the road.

Another neighbour who asked not to be named said: “It is not really a good start to the New Year. It's cost me £65 and I have been without my car for four days.”

Police are now hunting the vandals who struck overnight on January 2, 3 and 4.

PC Simon Peacock, said: “I am appealing for information to help trace those responsible for these mindless acts of criminal damage. The majority of the damage took place in the Shirley area, with a number having taken place in Romsey.

"These incidents have caused a lot of inconvenience to the victims; particularly to one of the victims who uses her car to transport her teenage daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy.

“An estate type vehicle has been seen being driven in the area at the time of the incidents. It may have been used by the offenders to drive passed the parked cars and throw or catapult objects at them."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Simon Peacock by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.

• THE FAMILY of a disabled teenager have condemned those responsible for smashing the window on a specially adapted car.

Melanie Dominey was left devastated after the windows of her car were broken by vandals twice in several days.

Melanie Dominey

The 48-year-old mother found a pellet hole in the back window and cut her finger on shattered glass when she tried to open the boot on Sunday morning.

It was the latest attack on her vehicle, which was specially ordered to transport Melanie's 13-year-old daughter Morgan, who uses a wheelchair and suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

The black Chevrolet Cruise was also damaged at 7.30am on December 29, with Melanie finding another hole near the back passenger window, which is thought to have been caused by a marble.

She said: “They are so heartless because I need this car especially for my daughter.

“I am just fed up of it, I've got enough grief as it is without having this as extra. They have no idea how much stress it's causing me and the kids. Why can't they be decent and come forward.”