VANDALS went on the rampage in Radcliffe town centre causing thousands of pounds of damage to businesses, cars and homes.

Yobs went on the wrecking spree during Monday night along Church Street West and Spring Lane, smashing windows and damaging cars.

The spate of incidents occurred between 10.20pm on Monday and 3.50am on Tuesday.

At around 12.20am, a window to the Neatline Fitted Furniture showroom in Church Street West was smashed, causing at least £2,000 worth of damage.

At 12.25am police received a report that five or six young men had smashed lights near the United Utilities construction compound in Church Street West.

Then, at 1.45am, four or five youths were reported throwing stones at cars in Spring Lane and Church Street West and smashing their wing mirrors.

Around the same time, another resident reported yobs had stamped on the window of at least one car parked in Butterworth Street.

A Spring Lane resident reported their living room window was smashed at around 1.55am and a car parked at the bottom of Bury Road, near Festival Gardens, was tipped onto its side.

Residents also reported hearing cars driving fast and young people shouting. Many noticed footprints on the bonnets, roofs and windscreens of their cars the next morning.

Police say a number of cars parked in Polefield Hall Road in Prestwich also had their windscreens and wing mirrors damaged the same evening, and believe it could be connected.

Residents and business owners expressed disappointment that officers did not appear on the scene sooner despite multiple reports from members of the public.

A member of staff at Neatline Fitted Furniture, which has been based in Church Street West since 1977, said: “A road cone was thrown through the front window, shattering a double unit of glass.

“This caused £2,000 worth of damage to doors which were due to be taken down to London this week and will now have to be replaced. Shards of glass were lodged in the wood and metal.

“Lots of residents heard the noise but were too scared to go out and see what was going on – it was a bit intimidating.”

Staff at Neatline were disappointed that, as of Tuesday afternoon, the shop had still not received a call or visit from police.

Resident Andrew Clarkson called 999 at 12.20am after hearing windows breaking on Church Street West.

After 20 minutes he phoned police again to tell them the perpetrators were still in the street causing trouble, but was told no officers were available.

Mr Clarkson said: “Nobody ever turned up, which made me feel totally threatened and unsafe in my own town.

“I use 999 responsibly and I called the number because there was an ongoing emergency. You expect something, but there was not even a call back.

“I was shocked and disgusted. It is the first time I have realised that calling 999 does not necessarily guarantee a response.”

On Tuesday, two teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Jen Hardman, of GMP Bury South, said: "From what we have been told, a number of youths were seen making their way through the streets of Prestwich and Radcliffe, causing damage.

"Although two arrests have been made, we are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone who believes their car may have been damaged overnight or early Tuesday morning."

Inspector Ben Cottam, the new inspector for Bury South, said: “I would like to reassure the residents of Radcliffe we are looking at the incident and will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We will also have increased patrols in the area over the next few nights to try and prevent a reoccurrence.”

A spokesman for United Utilities said the compound had 24-hour security and engineers were not aware of any damage to lights within the site.

Witnesses and victims are asked to call police on 0161 856 8204 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.