CAR owners in an Ipswich street are counting the cost today after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to vehicles parked outside their homes.

CAR owners in an Ipswich street are counting the cost today after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to vehicles parked outside their homes.

More than 11 vehicles were damaged between 4pm on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.

The cars which were all parked in Levington Road, were scratched along their side panels causing at least £150 of damage to each vehicle.

John Whelton, 61, whose Audi will cost £800 to repair, said: "It looks like whoever did this has just walked straight down the road and scratched every vehicle with a key.

"The people who do this sort of thing think they have the right to do what they want, but their freedom is someone else's cage.

"It is just mindless vandalism and more of an inconvenience than anything else. Unfortunately they don't care about other people's property and just enjoy winding people up."

Philip Davey, 49, who has lived in Levington Road for more than 25 years, had his Toyota scratched. It is expected to cost £300 to have it re-sprayed.

He said: "Both my doors and my side panels were scratched and although it is covered under my insurance, I will still have to pay the first £100.

"It is not just the money, it is the inconvenience as well. I need my car for work and I will be without it for two to three days.

"All the hard work of looking after your vehicle and taking care of it doesn't seem worthwhile when people just come along an destroy it in a matter of seconds."

Police are appealing for witnesses and anybody with information should call Pc Jane Gardiner at Ipswich Police on 613500 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.