Stansted: Eight cars vandalised in village street near airport

Cars parked in the village near Stansted Airport have been sprayed with paint

Police believe a spree of cars being vandalised may be revenge attacks carried out by people angry about Stansted passengers parking in their village rather than at the airport.

Eight vehicles were targeted on Dunmow Road in Takeley, just south of the airport site in Essex, on 6 September.

Essex Police said they were aware of "ongoing issues" in the area.

They urged residents not to take matters into their own hands, but to report parking issues to the council.

An Audi was among those targeted

A tyre also appeared to have been let down or punctured

Acting Insp Kevin Mayle said: "We believe that these reports relate to ongoing issues regarding vehicles being parked where they shouldn't be by those going to Stansted Airport.

"Whilst we appreciate that this is incredibly frustrating for those living close to Stansted Airport, we ask the public to report parking issues on the Uttlesford District Council website and not take action yourselves.

"Additionally, we ask that those visiting Stansted Airport use the available parking and do not illegally park in surrounding roads."

Essex Police has left notes on cars that have been damaged

Paul Burnett, a Takeley parish councillor, said he condemned "angry vigilantes" who had vandalised cars.

However, he also said the parish council supported an application to implement parking restrictions for non residents in the village.

"There is a simple solution; the airport could charge everybody £10 all day long for each car," he told the BBC.

"People would find it so cheap that people would park in the airport instead - we don't want them in the streets."