VANDALS have brought festive misery to residents in the Stanley area in a spate of attacks on cars and homes.

A thug damaged four cars in Nightingale Place and one in Darling Place, Craghead, on the night of Monday, December 23. He is described as wearing a long black coat and a black woollen hat.

A further three vehicles were targeted on Thursday, January 2, in the Eastfields area. Police believe the incidents are linked to similar attacks in the area the week before.

In Kirkfield Gardens, Annfield Plain, one unlucky car owner had his tyres slashed before Christmas, then a thug smashed both of the car headlights on New Year's Day.

A gang of ten youths, thought to be aged between ten and 16, trashed a garden fence worth £100 in Elgar Close, at around 6pm on December 12.

In the nearby village of Tantobie, residents have lodged complaints about youths causing a nuisance on Friday and Saturday nights, hanging around the community centre.

Anyone with information on these crimes should contact Stanley Police Station on (01207) 232144