01 May 2023 , 14:37
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More than 20 cars have been targeted by cruel vandals in a quiet town, it's been claimed.
Residents in Westhoughton, Bolton, claimed break-ins and vandal attacks had been reported in a number of different sites across the town.
One victim - a 57-year-old woman - has been collating a variety of vandalism reports from across the town in a bid to help police find the perpetrators.
She said that one person returned to their car to find the windows completely smashed in, all four tyres slashed, and oil poured over the seats.
The woman was targeted herself when a brick was used to smash the windows of her Kia, which was parked behind an Aldi store.
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Vandal attacks had been reported in a number of different sites across town (UGC/MEN)
All of the vandalised cars had their windows smashed and the wires pulled out from the steering column (UGC/MEN)She's now joined a variety of other victims in demanding a public meeting to resolve the attacks.
The victim told the Manchester Evening News: "It is quite a recent issue but many thousands of pounds worth of damage must have been caused. Over the last few weeks, Westhoughton has been blighted by constant vandalism of cars.
"There is an Aldi in Westhoughton and a public car park behind it which is not covered by CCTV. That is where our car was damaged on Saturday night.
"There was another lady on the car park and her car was written off the damage was that bad. She was absolutely devastated."
All of the vandalised cars had their windows smashed and the wires pulled out from the steering column.
"They seem to be trying to get cars started, but items have been stolen from cars in other cases," she added.
"On Thursday night someone had all four tyres slashed and oil poured all over the inside of the car. The front windscreen was smashed and graffiti scrawled into the paintwork.
"Last weekend around a dozen cars were targeted. People are now saying that they are not going to go shopping in Westhoughton, which is bad news for the shopkeepers."
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police Bolton North said: "On Sunday 30 April, officers were called to several reports of vehicles being found damaged in the Westhoughton area of Bolton.
"Whilst officers investigate these incidents, members of the public will see an increase of police officers conducting high visibility foot patrols in the area."
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Chief Inspector Topping added: "We want our communities to feel safe in the areas where they live, work and socialise and I want to reassure those affected that local officers are following up a number of lines of enquiry.
"We continue to work alongside partners to combat any anti-social behaviour and crime and would encourage communities to contact us with any information or concerns.
"We would strongly urge members of the local community who live close by or who know anything about this incident to report it to GMP."