Vandals target village cars in night-time spree

Vandals have gone on a wrecking spree in a quiet street in a village in Shropshire.

Nine cars in Church Street, Hodnet, near Market Drayton, were daubed with yellow paint on Sunday night, including one which is due to be sold.

Most of the victims have managed to get the paint off their cars but John Bonehan, owner of the village shop, is still counting the cost.

Mr Bonehan's car, which is for sale, was parked outside the shop when it was targeted.

He said: "It is quite a shock, nothing like this has happened before.

"It is going to cost me at least £100 to repair, that is if the paint comes off, otherwise it will be much more.

"My car was the worst, I think I was first in the row when they started painting.

"It is the time and hassle more than anything; I am just about to sell the car."

Police have launched a hunt for the vandal who struck between 8pm and 11pm on Sunday.

Seven cars across Shrewsbury were also targeted and police believe the same person travelled to each attack and may have sprayed the cars as they drove past.

Jean Powell, owner of Character Jugs in the road, also found a line of yellow paint on her car.

She said: "My car was not as bad as the others, I had paint on the rear panel.

"The first I heard was when a neighbour came to tell me, I live at the back of the shop but didn't hear anything.

"It seems totally random, it could be locals but the most surprising thing is that it is not a road that goes anywhere.

"There is just no need for it but we are lucky it wasn't smashed windows or anything worse.

"The last incident of vandalism was about three or four years ago."

One resident, who did not want to be named, said a passer-by informed her of the damage and she told the neighbours.