RESIDENTS on an Altrincham road have to budget for car damage because vehicle vandalism has become so frequent, according to one fed-up motorist.

Tom Coe of Seamons Road said he and others on the street have been driven round the bend by ‘a campaign of mindless acts of criminal damage’ over the past two years, with cars keyed, mirrors smashed and wipers pulled off on a regular basis.

“It’s now at a point where residents are having to budget for repairs to vehicles,” said Tom.

“Incidents have been reported to Trafford Housing Trust (THT) and the police to no avail.

“These are not deemed serious enough to warrant sending out a representative to speak to people affected.”

In the latest spate of attacks, Tom’s car was damaged on November 29 and then seven other vehicles on December 5.

“The response we received from a call to the police was “we will give you a crime reference number within 24hrs," he added.

“Wow, I bet if I drive my vehicle without wing mirrors there'd be a bobby there eagerly waiting to issue me a £60 fixed penalty notice.

“My advice to people thinking of moving onto Seamons Rd: Drive a tank.

“I have been quoted nearly £1,000 to repair the damage to my vehicle, which I can’t afford, so I will have to sell the vehicle.

“The residents are on eggshells waiting for the next incident of malicious and mindless crime that they alone will have to pick the pieces up from.”

Inspector John Cave, said: “We are aware of the damage to Mr Coe’s vehicle and have made efforts to identify the offender, including checking local CCTV cameras, unfortunately we have not been able to recover any relevant material at this time but this incident is still being looked into.

“If anyone knows anything about the person responsible we would urge them to get in touch.

“I appreciate how frustrating and potentially expensive such acts of mindless vandalism can be for residents but must stress that I am not aware of it being part of a larger issue or “campaign of mindless acts of criminal damage campaign” against residents.

A spokesman for Trafford Housing Trust said: “Trafford Housing Trust takes anti-social behaviour very seriously and our neighbourhoods team is in regular dialogue with Mr Coe regarding recent acts of criminal damage to see how we can help him.

“We are also in contact with Greater Manchester Police over how to help find the people responsible, and how to try and prevent such incidents occurring in the future whether they happen in Altrincham or any other part of Trafford.”