TEENAGERS are being blamed by police for a wrecking spree in which 28 cars had their windows smashed in just one night.

Residents in and around Harwood Street, in Darwen, awoke on New Year's Day to discover the trail of destruction after cars the whole length of the street had been targeted.

Police said the damage was around the £5,000 mark and appealed for witnesses to help catch the culprits.

One teenager has already been arrested and questioned by police and has since been released on police bail and DS Critchley has appealed for people to come forward with further information.

Victims today described the vandals as "mindless idiots."

Steve Cooper had the rear window of his Astra smashed just months after a similar incident.

Mum Wendy Western said: "Steve has had to go out and get it fixed which will cost him £160. The people who did this are idiots and obviously have nothing better to do."

Many cars that were targeted were today being fixed after the Bank Holiday break. Two windscreen repair vans were on the street as the Lancashire Evening Telegraph made inquiries. Mick Horsley had the windows of his company Toyota Carina smashed. He said: "I noticed the rear window when I got up. They must have used a hammer or something because there was nothing in the car and nothing was stolen."

Teenager Robert Howarth was at a New Year's Eve party at the Harwood Street home of his girlfriend's parents when his Toyota was attacked.

Robert, who lives on nearby Sunnyhurst Lane, said: "I didn't hear a thing, at about 3am somebody came to the house to tell me about it, I was gutted. The next day I went for a walk all the way down Harwood Street and there was loads of damaged cars. I haven't driven mine since."

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley of Darwen CID said: "We believe from witnesses that three teenagers were in that area at that time and if anybody has seen them or has information we want them to come forward."

DS Critchley can be contacted at Darwen CID on 01254 353841.

Picture: Student Robert Howarth points to the hole punched into the rear of his Toyota sports hatchback which shattered the whole window in Harwood Street, Darwen.