RESIDENTS were lost for words as they woke up to find vandals had punctured more than 150 car tyres across a wide area of Swindon.

Entire rows of parked vehicles had been attacked during the spree in the early hours of yesterday leading to a major response from police.

Forensic units and foot patrols were sent out to an area spanning almost two miles from the Marriott, in Old Town, to Dixon Street, in Eastcott.

All four tyres had been punctured on some cars, with the damage thought to have been inflicted with a sharpened screwdriver or tool rather than a knife.

Andy Notton, 49, was in Dixon Street helping his son-in-law Mathew Barrett change the two tyres on the Ford Transit they use for their plumbing business.

He said: “It’s sad It’s probably been done by people who live at home with their parents. The only way to get retribution is to slash some of their possessions, like their clothes and their bedding, and let them see how it feels. It’s just stupid.”

Kayleigh Hall, 26, a vehicle purchaser found all four wheels slashed on her Mini Cooper convertible.

She said: “It’s just baffling why someone would want to do this. I think only the people who did this know what their motive was.”

Another neighbour, Sian Wilson, 33, needed three tyres changed on her Vauxhall Astra.

The project manager said: “That’s the holiday fund out the window.

“Once you consider the excess and the high premiums there is no point claiming it on insurance.

“Words can’t describe what I think about whoever was behind this. Times are hard enough as it is.”

Several vehicles in the Marriott Hotel car park, which is covered by CCTV, were attacked and the trail continued through Marlbor-ough Lane and into nearby streets, including Berenger Close and Quentin Road, before commercial vehicles were targeted on the Central Trading Estate.

Prospect Place and Stafford Street were also affected as the spree continued towards the town centre, and it appeared Minis had been singled out from other makes of car.

Wiltshire Police confirmed it had received more than 70 reports of criminal damage to cars.

East sector Inspector Joe Saunders said officers were dealing with a large scale incident of criminal damage which took place between 2am and 5am. He said: “We have not made any arrests but detectives are following up lines of inquiry.”

Superintendent Gavin Williams said: “This incident is being robustly resourced and, if needs be, I will assign more officers to this case.

“Someoneknows who is responsible and I would urge them, or the perpetrators, to come forward immediately.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .