Vandals have targeted 17 cars in a spree of destruction.

Aerials were snapped off and stolen, wing mirrors smashed and paintwork damaged by yobs at about 2.30am on Sunday.

The yobs, who police said were in their late teens or early 20s, struck in Donnington Place, Elizabeth Drive, St James, Adkin Way and Grove Street, Wantage.

The attacks follow two other outbreaks of serious car vandalism in the town in the past year.

Philip Clare, general manager of the Ridgeway Garage in Grove Street, said about half of the second-hand cars on their forecourt off the main A338 road into the town had been damaged.

He said: "We estimate the cost of the damage to be about £1,000."

Pc Ben Peach, of the Abingdon Priority Crime team, said: "This was completely senseless vandalism, which will cost hundreds of pounds to repair and cause considerable inconvenience to the victims.

"Some local residents were woken by the noise but were unable to give a detailed description.

"I'm determined to catch the people responsible for this before they cause more pointless destruction in Wantage."

Anyone with information can contact Pc Peach on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

In March, vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage to 40 cars in Priory Road, St Mary's School car park and Newbury Street.

Details of the attacks were only released by police yesterday.