A spate of "mindless" vandalism is set to cost Bushey residents thousands of pounds in repair bills after at least 17 garden walls have been destroyed in night time incidents.

Hertfordshire Police are investigating the crimes that have occurred at houses in Duncan Way, Mead Way, and Bushey Mill Lane.

Penny Ridsdale, of Duncan Way, had her wall knocked down several weeks ago and said she would not rebuild it because she believes it would probably be knocked down again.

The 74-year-old said: "It’s incredibly annoying. I don’t know why this is going on, it’s a mindless action.

Watford Observer: Wall way

"I can’t understand what they get out of it and why they choose the houses they do. I can’t see the point of it all. What is a worry is what they will do next.

"We believe it is children that have nothing better to do that are behind it.

"I blame the parents that believe being out of sight is being out of mind. The best punishment for the perpetrators would be to make the offenders rebuild the walls themselves.

"Either that or national service should be introduced. The police are doing a good job but they cannot be everywhere all the time."

Speaking at a crime safety partnership meeting on Wednesday night, Sergeant Noel Buckley at Hertfordshire Constabulary said he was frustrated at the lack of evidence.

He said: "Some of these people know the law because they are in and out of custody and they know how far they can take things and what they can get away with."

Another resident of Duncan Way, who did not want to be named for fear of having his wall knocked down for a second time, said the people responsible were probably just "showing off".

He said: "I had my wall kicked down last week, and had to put it back up myself.

"It is extremely annoying, and it is happening at night so people are not being caught.

"It costs hundreds of pounds to pay a brick layer which is unfair for the residents.

"I have been pleased with the police response but want these people to have to pay the cost of the damage they cause.

"They are let off to lightly these days and need to be made to understand the damage they are causing."

Bushey North representative councillor Leslie Winters warned people to look out for suspicious activity.

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He said: "I ask that residents be on the lookout at all times so that those responsible are caught as soon as possible and to report to the police any suspicious behaviour as the damage already must run into thousands of pounds."

Sergeant Noel Buckley said: "We have been conducting both high-visibility and plain clothed patrols in the area however I would ask members of the public to assist our efforts to catch the offenders and call in with information.

"If you have seen something or believe you know who may be involved, please call us on 101."