Residents tell of terror as nine cars trashed in hammer attack

Dec 13 2012 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

Residents this week told of their terror after nine cars were trashed and up to 11 house windows smashed in a vicious hammer attack in Hamilton.

Families cowered in fear after a rampaging armed gang targeted homes and vehicles in a wrecking spree at new flats development in Cadzow Bridge Square.

It’s believed they were looking for a man who lives within the flats, off Jack Street, in the Low Waters area of the town.

New flats and shop units were built opposite the Auld Hoose as part of the regeneration of Cadzow Bridge.

Neighbours were awoken in the early hours of Sunday by men smashing windows within the complex.

The gang couldn’t get access to the flats because the security door was locked. They used hammers to smash open the front panel and burst open the door.

They barged into the close looking for a man they believed lived within the flats.

They used a hammer to try to break down the door of one of the flats but gave up when they couldn’t get inside.

During the rampage, they smashed several windows at the flats. They even targeted a flat where a woman lives with a young baby.

Neighbours watched in horror as the men used hammers to smash the side and back windows of nine cars and jump up and down on the vehicle’s roofs bonnets, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

They used their feet to kick in the front window of the cars. Some had to be taken away for repairs.

It’s understood that, following a search, police arrested three young men in connection with the incident.

Some of the broken glass could been seen this week scattered on the ground outside the flats as residents recalled their shock.

One homeowner said: “People were woken by loud banging in the flats.

“Neighbours looked out and could see the gang jumping on the bonnets of the cars and putting the windows in with their feet.

“It’s disgusting . Everyone here is shaken and really upset.

“These are just new flats and you don’t expect anything like that to happen here.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: “We were called to Cadzow Bridge Square at 3.50am on Sunday after reports that nine vehicles were damaged and five properties were damaged.

“Three 18-year-old men have been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident.”