A DRIVER said he was lucky not to crash his van after a ball bearing was fired through his windscreen.

Matthew Adkins was just one victim of a wrecking spree that took place in Verwood and Alderholt recently.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the windows of businesses, cars and homes were targeted by vandals.

A ball bearing was shot through the window of Harlees fish and chip shop in Manor Road, Verwood, causing a dent in the cooking range.

A telephone kiosk used to house a defibrillator in Station Road, Alderholt, also had five bullet-shaped holes and shattered glass.

Several other homeowners and drivers reported similar damage the same day. It is understood police are continuing to investigate the spate of incidents and are treating them as linked.

Mr Adkins was travelling along a 40mph stretch of Verwood Road in his VW Transporter van when he was targeted.

“All of a sudden there was a loud bang and I noticed my windscreen was indented,” he said.

“It was very round, the dent, about the size of a coin. I don’t know where the shot came from. I could have crashed my car. It’s just mindless vandalism, and I’m very cross about it.”

The 38-year-old, who is a self-employed glassmaker, said the damage happened the same day his van was taken for its MOT test.

“It’s typical. I had to pay about £75 to repair the windscreen on top of the MOT cost.

“I had a phone call from the police after I made a report, and they said they were following it up and gathering more information. They think it’s linked to the other similar incidents that were reported.

“I hope they find out who did this. Verwood is a lovely area and I’ve never experienced any crime like this here before.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “We were called at 5.04pm on Saturday, April 13, to reports that a black VW Transporter had been damaged in Verwood Road, Ringwood, sometime between 12pm and 1pm on April 9. The damage was caused by a ball bearing hitting the windscreen of the vehicle.

“We are looking at whether this is linked to a series of criminal damage in the area. This investigation remains ongoing.”

Three lampposts were also damaged along Dewlands Way. A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "This is being investigated as part of the previous damage caused."