Southampton residents have spoken of their shock after seeing a smashed Audi that has been left near a cemetery.

The 18-month-old car has been left without windows and lights - as broken glass and car parts scatter Cemetery Road - which is a popular route for dog walkers.

The damage to the Audi, parked near Southampton Old Cemetery, has left residents stunned with one describing the scene as “total carnage".

Daily Echo: The car has been left on Cemetery RoadTrainer footprints and forceful dents can be seen on the bonnet of the vehicle and all tyres have been punctured.

Glass and debris is scattered around the car and two Breaking Bad DVDs are left on the passenger seat.

Malcolm Slocombe, of Hill Lane, said: “I regularly walk through the area and could not believe the state of the Audi.

“It is total carnage - it’s like someone’s wilfully tried to inflict as a much damage as possible on the vehicle.

“The only way you could damage it more is to set the thing on fire. One of the doors has been bent so much it is basically at a right angle.

“The amount of force being used to inflict this damage is horrifying.”

Daily Echo: The door frame of the car has been completely crushedREAD MORE: Car flipped onto roof in Burgess Road crash in Southampton

Police were called about the damaged car on Friday night and are currently investigating what is going on.

A nearby resident of 15 years, who didn't want to be named, said "It is horrible, the whole thing has been destroyed.

"It is frightening as my wife and I walk our dog here. This road is supposed to be a peaceful sanctuary but it is becoming a crime hotspot.

"They need to put cameras on this road and we desperately need more lighting.

"If kids go near it or climb into the car, they will be cut to smithereens with all the broken glass."

Daily Echo: Blows have been dealt to the bonnet of the carPortswood resident, Nick Fleming said: “I regularly walk this way but if I’m brutally honest, I’m not entirely surprised that something like this has happened here.

“I have always suspected the area might be used for some sort of county lines drug gangs. There are no cameras and the road is quite poorly lit.”

Daily Echo: Broken glass is scattered across the inside of the carThis comes as armed police dealt with an incident down the road on Sunday night following a report of three cars filled with people, one allegedly armed with a knife, confronting three other men.

No-one was injured and no weapons were found.

A police spokesperson said they could not currently confirm whether the smashed car and this incident were linked or not.