Vandals attacked and broke into vehicles throughout a town in the middle of last night.

The suspects tried a number of cars at a property in Downleaze, South Woodham Ferrers throughout the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A male suspect, who covered his face with a hoodie initially attempted to break into a BMW car before breaking into a Citroen Berlingo van on the driveway

The victim, Jamie Cox, who lives at the property released an appeal after the incident at around 4 in the morning.

He said: "A man in full tracksuit checked all the doors on our cars at home.

"He looked in all the windows and managed to steal tools from my van, before checking other cars down my street and surrounding areas.

"If anyone has any information on this person, that would be much appreciated."

Mr Cox said the incident has cost him more than £250 in damage and to replace his tools.

Around 45 minutes before this incident, three masked men were also spotted attempting to break into a car at a home in Clements Place.

The victim, Simon Turner, said: "So at 3:26am these thugs were trying to break into my car.

"They came back at 4:30am and smashed off the wing mirror."

Shocking CCTV images show the suspect, also wearing a full tracksuit jumping to push down harder on the wing mirror in order to break it off.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We received four reports this morning, Tuesday, March 26, of criminal damage and interference with vehicles in South Woodham Ferrers.

"We received a report that a man was attempted to get into a vehicle in Clements Place at around 3.30am. 

"He returned and smashed the vehicle’s wing mirror at 4.30am.

"We received reports that three vehicles were searched in Longfield Road and Downleaze.

"Enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information is asked to call Chelmsford police station on 101 quoting 42/47276/19 (Clements Place), 42/47210/19 (Longfield Road) and 42/47204/19 and 42/47175/19 (Downleaze).

"Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."