BUSINESSES are having to pay out thousands of pounds to repair cars damaged during a spree of vandalism.

Yobs targeted businesses in Whitehall Industrial Estate over the weekend including Rallysport Autos.

A total of ten cars were damaged at the firm and staff called it “utterly shocking and mindless vandalism”.

Manager Sam Nagel said it looked as if someone had taken a crowbar to the whole street.

He said: “One of my colleagues came in to do a bit of work on his car and he notified us.

“There were a lot of smashed windows, various panels have been scratched, tyres have been slashed.

“We are just a small business but we can’t get down about it, we just have to crack on.”

The damage has been assessed and the cars are due to be repaired this week.

He said: “It will cost a fair few thousand pounds but it would be more money wasted if we just left the cars sitting around unused.

“It looks like the whole street has been attacked. We haven’t seen anything like it and we have been here for three years.”

On their Facebook page, the company said they would not let it set them back.

They said: “It’s sad that members of our society can take pleasure in bringing pain and sadness to others.

“It’s certainly a set back for us, not just financially, but in terms of time and ability to sell these vehicles, however, we certainly won’t be letting these vandals have the last laugh.”

Maple Tree Cars was also affected and said about 60 cars in total were damaged during the night.

Ray Neal, from East Anglia Services, was furious when he found about 20 of his cars were damaged.

He was considering offering a reward for information leading to a conviction as the vandals also stole one of his Sat Navs.

He said: “I’m really going to town on this as I have had enough. The road is still full of glass.

“They have been in my vehicles and have rummaged around, and I don’t just sit back and take these things.”

He is making steps to get CCTV cameras installed on the site.

Police were contacted shortly after 7.45am on Sunday.

Roads targeted include Conder Way, Commerce Way and Davey Close.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Inquiries are ongoing and anyone who saw what happened or has any information or CCTV footage is asked to call police at Colchester on 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online.”