THUGS are smashing-up, keying and ripping the wing mirrors off cars.

Since Christmas, vehicles parked in the Hangleton area have been repeatedly damaged during the night.

Residents expressed their anger on social media.

Emily Lena Boyle shared pictures of her car, which was one of several to have been keyed on Thursday.

She said: “Someone intentionally keyed my courtesy car.

“It seemed as though someone went up Stapley Road and down through Hangleton and scratched many cars.

“This is a courtesy car so it will affect my insurance as well as costing me £300.”

Others came forward to say that their vehicles that were parked on Stapley Road had also received similar treatment.

Terri Walder said her partner’s car had been targeted on Wednesday.

She said: “My partner had his wing mirror smashed last night passenger side which was on the pavement in Stapley Road so it was definitely done on purpose.”

The nature of the damage done to the cars varied.

Some were keyed, others were hit and some had items stolen from their exteriors.

Lauren Olosunde said: “Some scumbag stole both my number plates this morning and on Tuesday my car was dented in the Hangleton area.

“It’s awful, I hope they catch them.”

Dawn Barnett, councillor for Hangleton and Knoll, condemned the actions of those responsible and said it the vandalism must be stopped.

She said: “There’s hardly a night that goes by when a car doesn’t get damaged.

“There have been at least eight cases since Christmas.

“One was scratched all the way down its side and another had its side kicked in.”

The damaged cars have been parked in Hangleton Road and Stapley Road.

Cllr Barnett said: “People work very hard to keep their cars in good, working order and so we need to find out who is doing this.

“I would like to see somebody come forward as somebody must know who is responsible.”

Those affected appealed to their neighbours through a Facebook notice board, asking any witnesses or people with CCTV footage of the incidents to come forward.

Some also reported the damage to Sussex Police.

Sussex Police have been contacted for comment.

n Have you been the victim of vandalism or any other crime? Contact The Argus at news@theargus.co.uk