A £1,000 reward has been offered if the vandal who wrote off six cars by splattering paint stripper on them is arrested.

Paul Titcombe, workshop manager at Greenmeadow Service Station in Thames Avenue, Greenmeadow, said he is offering his own money in a bid to catch the ‘senseless person’ who damaged them just before midnight last Friday.

He said: “I am wracking my brain trying to think who could have done this, but more importantly why?

“This is a senseless act, I didn’t think we had any enemies here.

“We have been in the community for 30-years and we are an independent business – why would someone want to hurt us?”

Mr Titcombe said he was waiting to hear advice from his insurance company, but said he doubted he would be reimbursed for the full £13,000 value of the ruined cars.

He said: “It really hurts to think that people can be so sad as to do this for no reason.

“I am putting up the money because I want this person caught, convicted and brought to justice – I want to let him or her know you can’t just go around doing this to people’s property.”

Staff at the garage, who saw the business’s CCTV footage, described the vandal as a 6ft tall man of medium build who was wearing light coloured trousers, white trainers and a dark hooded top.

Mr Titcombe said the video clearly showed the man walking from neighbouring shops through a hedge before carrying out the act. He also said the video showed a member of the public walk by the offender as he committed the crime.

He said: “Someone out there saw something. I urge him to get in contact. I am not going to let this person get away with this.”

The cars damaged were a Fiat Punto, a Ford Fiesta, two Ford Focuses, a Renault Megane and Vauxhall Corsa.

Wiltshire Police Duty Inspector Peter Chamberlain said: “Criminal damage is at the top of our neighbourhood policing team’s list of priorities because of the upset and inconvenience it causes to people. Each case is investigated thoroughly and if we do have CCTV that will be used to build the case.

“I urge anyone who has seen anything to contact the investigating officer.”

Mr Titcombe asked anyone with information to call the shop on 01793 534501.

Police are also looking for information, and have urged witnesses to call PC Martin Wells on 0845 408 7000 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.