A father is going to install CCTV to protect his family from the ‘epidemic’ of car vandalism in his area.

Police reported 12 cases of 'mindless' criminal damage to vehicles in Monkswood Avenue, Waltham Abbey, and the surrounding.

At one address, a swear word, believed to be 'f---', was scratched on the bonnet of a gold Volvo, causing £1,000 in damage.

The culprits are said to have used a sharp implement to scrape the cars and the family claim they have had their cars vandalised seven times in recent years.

The father claimed police reports underestimated the £6,200 in damages and as many as 40 cars were vandalised on the weekend of February 14.

Speaking to the Guardian he remained anonymous to not become a further target as the vandals were getting braver.

The 54-year-old said: “Normally people smash windows or scratch cars when someone has done something wrong or been targeted.”

“But this seems to be random malicious attack on the community’s property

“It is so annoying, the mentality of the person doing it I just don’t understand it.

“Vandalism is like an epidemic in the area, if it was Asian Flu the entire town would be shut down.

“I have taken it on myself to get CCTV to protect my property and my family, I don’t want to have to do that but I don't have a choice.

“The police don’t have the resources to follow this up, they are rightly pre-occupied with murders and more serious crimes.

“But they haven’t even managed to link them to previous occasions and other cars in the area.”

“They need to work with the local authorities to make a long term strategy in tackling this, whether through more CCTV in public places, because people are getting away with it.”

Essex Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 101 and have been approached for comment.