Vandals go on the rampage

At least a dozen vehicles were reported damaged.

Wing mirrors were snapped, windows smashed and windscreens were shattered in streets including Mansel Road East, Wimpson Lane and Severn Road.

In Binsey Close almost an entire row of vehicles had windows smashed and were also marked with footprints.

Southampton locals are now counting the cost.

Fay Mason, 57, of Mansel Road East, was woken by a noise outside her home at around 4am and discovered the back windscreen of her people carrier had been smashed.

There was a large crack in the front windscreen. She's estimated that it will cost as much as £1,500 to repair the damage.

"Most people can get their cars fixed straight away," she added. "But mine is a Japanese import. It will take time to get a replacement. It is mindless," she said.

"I don't know what they get out of it but they must be stupid."

Mark Petch, of Severn Road, woke to find the window of his work van had been smashed, and an England flag attached to the van snapped.

"I came out in the morning and saw the flag had been snapped. Then I saw the glass," he said. I wondered where it had come from and then I realised the whole window had been shattered."

Mark's girlfriend Kim Long was woken by a group of noisy people.

She said: "I saw one of the flags on Mark's car was missing. Then I saw a group of people crossing the road. There must have been between 20 and 25. It was a great big group."

A spokesman for Shirley police said there had been reports of disturbances between 3.40am and 4.40am on Saturday.

She said there were five incidents reported in Mansel Road East, three in Severn Road and one in Binsey Close. Residents reported seeing a group of between 20 and 30 lads.

"A couple of people have looked out of the window and seen them but no one called us at the time. If something happens people need to call the police at the time.

Anyone with any information which might help police can call 0845 045 45 45.