TEENAGE vandals as young as 13 are believed to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to car windscreens in Bournemouth.

A group of around four children was spotted smashing windscreens in the Throop and Muscliff area in the early hours of Friday February 16.

Now police have appealed for information about the offenders, who damaged cars in roads including Larksfield Avenue, Chesildene Drive and Greenways Avenue.

Resident Craig Wells told the Daily Echo: "I woke up at about 2am because I could hear loud music being played in the street.

"Four youths were outside and the next thing I heard was a crunching sound. The windscreens of my car and my neighbour's car had been smashed.

"The next day I drove around the area and there were at least 20 smashed windscreens. I reported it to the police but they still haven't been out to see me."

Mr Wells, who lives in Chesildene Drive, said there was a footprint on his windscreen.

He said it cost £100 to fix the damage to his car and added: "I need my car for work and I also needed it to pick my children up.

"I know there are some people who still can't use their cars because they haven't got the money to get them fixed."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police received a report at around 2.15am on Friday February 16 of criminal damage to two vehicles in Larksfield Avenue in Bournemouth.

"We also received a further two reports of vehicles that had been damaged overnight in Chesildene Drive.

"At around 1.30pm on Saturday February 17 we also received a report of damage to a vehicle in Greenways Avenue. It was reported that the vehicle had been damaged on the night of Friday February 16.

"An investigation is under way and local officers have increased patrols in the area. No arrests have been made at this stage."

Sergeant Gemma Barber of the Throop and Muscliff Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "A group of youths were stopped and spoken to and further enquiries are taking place.

"Dorset Police treat such incidents extremely seriously and a police investigation is underway to trace the offenders. This may include calling on local residents near to where the incidents occurred and seeking their assistance with any information that may be connected."

Anyone with information about the damage can contact police on 101.