Vandals on the rampage

Several cars on Maple Close, Chadderton have been targeted by vandals.

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A SPATE of vandalism on several cars in a quiet Chadderton street has left distraught residents mystified as to why they are being consistently targeted.

Taxi driver Mohammed Habibur Rehman, who has lived on Maple Close since 2011, contacted the Chronicle after yet another incident which saw the wing mirrors pulled off four cars on Monday night.

Neighbours say their cars have been targeted nearly every month for several years and they have no idea who is behind the attacks. Incidents have seen car windows smashed and even number plates stolen. Mr Rehman (46), a dad of three, has been left with a £620 bill. His wife's Volkswagen Passat has also had its windows smashed before. He said: "My wing mirrors have been smashed and the same has happened to about three cars. It's happened a few times now. We've had windscreens smashed, a number of us have been a victim of this.

"The last time this happened was in December. Four cars had their windscreens smashed. It happened nearly every month.

"It's terrible. How do we stop these things?"

Heavily pregnant Ms Robinson (30), another Maple Close neighbour, said: "I've lived here for just under a year. It's a lovely place and the neighbours are great. So I've no idea why this is happening. It seems to be random vandalism and is so unfair.

"Because of the layout of the houses and the street, some of us have to park our cars out of sight.

"My car has been damaged twice since I've been here. This week my sister's car had both wing mirrors smashed, causing £500 worth of damage, and three other cars have been damaged.

"My partner's van has also been damaged in the past, with windows smashed and, on one occasion, chips and mayonnaise were smeared on it. Another lady's vehicle has been targeted about four times."

Ms Robinson, who is expecting a baby very soon and lives with partner Peter Moran (31), said she feels threatened in her own home.

Her sister Leanne Smith (35) stayed with her on Monday night. It was the first time she had parked her car ­- a Kia Cee'd ­- on the road overnight.

In the morning a neighbour informed them that both her wing mirrors had also been pulled off, which has left her with a £500 bill.

She said: "I'm so upset. I'm so angry. I won't park my car around here again. I will get a taxi to visit next time."

Full-time mum Emma Leader has lived on the street for nearly 10 years. She had to take her Toyota Corolla to be repaired after the wing mirrors were pulled off.

She said: "My car has been targeted three times on this street. I've had my windows smashed. Now the mirrors have been ripped off.

"I use my car to go everywhere. I depend on my car.

"I've reported it to the police but they don't seem too bothered. We keep asking for cameras but no-one is helping us."

Ann Dean, who first moved to the street 20 years ago, said there were a few incidents but it stopped after a while before starting again.

She was on her way to work on Tuesday morning when she noticed the wing mirrors of her Vauxhall Astra had been taken off.

Mrs Dean (57) added: "When they've done this before they've usually thrown the mirrors to the side so I've just picked them up. This time they weren't there.

"You just come out and it can be anybody's car.

"My partner Philip had his work van smashed a few weeks ago.

"He was on to the council to put cameras on, he explained what was going on, but they said they couldn't, for funding reasons."

Michael Lloyd, who has lived there for 10 years, does not have a car but has helped his neighbours when their cars have been targeted.

He said: "It's happening all the time. It's horrendous. Every time we come out the cars are damaged. It's terrible.

"Last time they sprayed paint all over the cars, but we managed to get it all off.

"I think it's just stupid kids who have got nothing better to do."

The problems have been reported to Greater Manchester Police and Oldham Council.

Some neighbours want CCTV security cameras to be put up on lamp posts but Ms Robinson understands the council had declined this idea.

GMP confirmed that the incident had been reported to them on Tuesday morning. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.