POLICE are investigating a spate of criminal damage after 27 cars were damaged in 10 days in Bradley Stoke.

Windows were smashed, bodywork was scratched or dented and wing mirrors were pulled off.

Incidents have been reported in The Beeches, Cornfield Close, Ellicks Close, Kemperleye Way, Mautravers Close, Winsbury Way and small cul-de-sacs off Hawkins Crescent.

On Monday night cars in Ellicks Close were targeted.

The culprits are thought to have used a network of lanes to escape.

A Vauxhall Corsa belonging to financial administrator Jane Jewell was among those damaged on Monday night.

Ms Jewell, 41, heard noises outside in the early hours but put it down to a cat.

She said: "I looked out of the window but could see nothing.

"I got up in the morning to see a pile of stones from my next door neighbour's footpath piled up on my car between the bonnet and windscreen. There were big scratches and dents on the bonnet, a hole and cracks on my windscreen, and a dent and scratches on my roof."

Two other cars further along the street had bricks thrown through the back windows and a van was also broken into.

Ms Jewell said: "I've lived here for 17 years and I've never felt unsafe before.

"It has been pretty shocking. I think there have been eight cars damaged in this road alone.

"One woman who had her car damaged saw four boys on bikes and reported it to the police.

"I understand the officers were driving round and saw the youths but didn't speak to them." A series of lanes connects areas of Bradley Stoke and Ms Jewell believes the vandals must live locally.

Neighbourhood Inspector Bob Evely said: "I can assure residents that we take this sort of anti-social behaviour very seriously.

"We realise the impact these incidents have on residents. We are carrying out house-to-house inquiries, visiting victims and have stepped up patrols.

"It's important that this sort of incident is reported to us so we can target our patrols effectively.

"Crime scene investigators have visited the scene of some of the incidents and other victims have been invited to a CSI surgery, if the vehicles have not yet been repaired."

Inspector Evely asked anyone with any information about who was responsible for the damage to contact officers at Filton police station on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively people can contact the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

He said police regularly visit schools and youth organisations to warn youngsters about the consequences of anti-social behaviour.

Inspector Evely will be at a Safer Stronger Community Group meeting at the Jubilee Centre at 7pm on Tuesday July 20 when residents can raise concerns about any crime-related issue.

Anyone unable to make the meeting can contact the neighbourhood team by calling Filton police station or through the website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.