An Oxford man plans to set up CCTV cameras aimed at the road after his car was vandalised in an acid attack.

Acid corroded the bonnet of Rahul Handa's light blue T-registration BMW Z3 and melted part of the windscreen, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

He said the car was attacked overnight near his home in White Road, Cowley, along with a number of other vehicles in the area.

Chartered accountant Mr Handa, 29, said: "It's quite a shock that somebody could behave in such a callous way, in what's supposed to be a safe part of Oxford."

He said he would be installing discreet CCTV cameras at his property, as well as putting up lighting triggered by movement.

"I shouldn't have to to do that, the council tax is quite high in the area and the council should be putting preventative measures in place," he added.

"If it just happened to my car, I would put it down to bad luck. Given this has happened to several other cars, it's something that has to be clamped down upon."

He also called for a 'zero tolerance' approach to vandalism and petty crime.

"I would ask police to put more effort into patrolling the street late at night to clamp-down on so-called petty crime. That would lead to a reduction in the bigger crimes," he said.

He discovered the damage at about 12.30pm on May 17.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Lucy Ferguson said: "Car crime is a distressing menace which is prevalent throughout the country.

"This was a petty and mindless act which has caused a great deal of inconvenience and cost to Mr Handa and others.

"We don't view these crimes lightly, and welcome information about them.

"We also welcome the opportunity to work with communities to tackle crime as a social problem through groups such as Neighbourhood Watch.

"Installation of CCTV is an approved method used by many homeowners and businesses to protect their property."

She said car crime was decreasing in Oxford due to the "robust approach" taken by Oxford police and the city's autocrime team.

Anyone with information about the vandalism carried out in White Road should call police on 01865 26633, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.