A TEENAGER has been arrested after six cars were targeted in a spate of vandalism.

Police said investigations were ongoing after vehicles in Dalton were damaged on Saturday night.

One motorist whose car was targeted said she felt ‘angry’ following the incident.

The Mail:

The incidents are alleged to have happened in Chapel Street, Nelson Street and Fair View at around midnight.

Damage was caused to windscreens and wing mirrors, all within close vicinity of each other.

Confirming the arrest, a police spokeswoman said: “On 18th October 2020 just after midnight, police received a report of criminal damage to a vehicle on Chapel Street in Dalton.

“Police attended and found a further five vehicles had been damaged in that area.

“A blue Mazda had its windscreen smashed, black Honda windscreen smashed, red Mini wing mirror broken, black Astra wing mirror broken, white VW transporter side window smashed and a black Peugeot wing mirror smashed.

“A 16-year-old male was later arrested and released on bail. The investigation continues.”

Chapel Street resident Claire Murphy, 54, said her windscreen appeared to have been stamped on while it was parked near to Dalton Leisure Centre.

The Mail:

It was among a clutch of other cars in the area that appeared to have been targeted, she later learned.

“In this world we are living it’s kind of a trivial thing to have your windscreen damaged," she said.

“But it makes you feel angry.

“You work hard to afford to maintain your car and somebody thinks it’s acceptable to stamp all over it.”

The Mail:

Mrs Murphy, a secretary for a trade union, said she had recently moved to the street from another part of Dalton.

“I have noticed youths gathering nearby but up until Saturday night I’ve not noticed any disruption," she said.

“I would be vary wary about parking there again unless there was lighting or CCTV in place.”

The incidents come following concerns from residents about anti-social behaviour in the town.

MP Simon Fell said he working with police to provide CCTV and lighting at Dalton Leisure, where youths are said to have been congregating in the grounds.

Littering and drug use has been reported in the area.

In another incident elsewhere in the town, youths were said to have climbed on top of scaffolding, risking injury.

Barrow’s Neighbourhood Policing Team are working with the community to tackle crime.