ANGRY residents of a Tolladine street blighted by vandalism fear someone will 'take the law into their own hands' to stop the culprits.

The warning was issued after a pair of youths smashed 10 car windscreens with a hammer in a spree of mindless destruction in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A line of cars in Somerville Road was hit between 12.30am and 12.45am, leaving windscreens cracked, but not shattered. Nothing was stolen from any vehicle.

Most residents were not aware of the damage until they awoke later on Saturday, however one, Bryn Ruff, went outside during the incident, thinking he had heard gunfire.

"I was in the house and heard a noise that sounded like a gunshot," he said. "It was over the top of the TV so it was pretty loud.

"I went outside, as did another guy, and we saw two lads running down the road. He said he could see one had a hammer, before they ran off into Christchurch Road."

It is the third time Mr Ruff has had his windscreen smashed in a year. In the same time he has also had a car stereo stolen and paint-stripper poured over his car, writing it off.

He estimates around £5,000 or £6,000 of damage has been caused to his vehicles in 12 months.

"For the first 18 months I was here it was paradise, but now we actually want to move," continued Mr Ruff, who has lived in Somerville Road for two-and-a-half years.

"The more I think about it the more angry I get.

"The time is coming when someone will take the law into their own hands. People are very angry and someone is going to cop it before long."

Another resident whose car was hit, Mark Gibbs, was more frustrated than angry.

"I had my wing mirror smashed and tax disc stolen in December and now the windscreen - it's very frustrating," he said.

"It's simply mindless vandalism. They don't want to take anything. They're just ruin-

ing things for other people."

The police estimate more than £1,000 of damage was caused on Saturday and are appealing for witnesses to call them on 08457 444888.