Police are hunting a woman who wears a devil mask and pours acid over cars in a tiny village.
Officers say six vehicles have been targeted over the last 18 months in St Briavels, Forest of Dean, Glos., which has a population of under 1,000.
One resident captured CCTV images of a middle-aged woman wearing a devil mask and black curly wig who threw acid all over her Land Rover Freelander.
The mask and wig were later found and locals are now offering a reward of £2,000 to whoever catches the culprit.
She is also suspected of posting pornographic material through letterboxes.
John Hurley, a semi-retired music teacher, is the latest victim after his Renault Megane Scenic was so badly damaged it could be a write-off.
The gel-like acid stripped its paint back to bare metal, melting the plastic wipers and headlamps. A plastic spatula used to scrape it off also melted.
John, 73, said: “Luckily I was aware of the previous attacks so as soon as I saw it I knew straight away what it was.
“If I hadn’t known and touched it, it would have been disastrous. I teach music and the acid would have damaged my fingers.
“It’s devastating to think there are people in our community who could do such a thing.”
Residents fear there may be more than one culprit - and recent incidents maybe be from copycat attackers.
Tens of thousands of pounds of damage were caused to to five cars and a motorhome.
The victim, who also filmed the attackers on CCTV, declined to be named.
They said: "Our home security cameras showed at least two people involved in the attack on our vehicle and property.
"The pair pulled up in a vehicle.
"One was a stout bald middle-aged man wearing glasses, accompanied by a tallish middle-aged woman who was wearing a devil's mask, black curly wig, a poncho and boots with a distinctive thick white sole, who proceeded to throw acid all over our black Freelander.
"A wig and devil’s mask matching the security footage was later recovered along with an acid bottle cap, which was handed to the police scenes of crime investigators."
Another resident captured CCTV of a young man wearing a hoodie and scarf who threw acid over their vehicle.
They said: "It would appear these are copy-cat attacks carried out by a small group of people.
"My wife or I could have easily disturbed them during the attack and been seriously injured or maimed for life."
Parish councillor Andrew Clarke says letters and pornographic material has been posted through local letterboxes and catflaps in the middle of the night.
Andrew said the chemical appears to be stronger than commercial paint stripper Nitromors.
He fears the attackers could throw acid over a victim if they are caught in the act.
He said: "Let’s not forget this latest attack was on a 73-year-old music teacher who was actually shaking like a leaf afterwards.
"John is a lovely, inoffensive man who does a lot for of voluntary work in the local the community. They need to catch those responsible before it escalates.
"Can you imagine if somebody caught the perpetrators in the act? They are likely to throw the acid over them and run.
"This stuff is absolutely lethal and takes no prisoners. Somebody could get really hurt if the police do not catch those responsible soon."
Andrew says the community is beginning to rally around the victims and contributed to a substantial reward to help catch those responsible.
Chris McFarling, parish and district councillor, said: "The parish council condemns these acts of violence and we hope the police will bring the perpetrators to justice."
Acid attacks on people have doubled since 2012 and sentencing guidelines have been changed so it is now listed as a weapon, meaning any adult caught carrying acid twice or threatening to use it should receive a mandatory six-month prison sentence.
A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: "On Friday, March 22 we received a report of criminal damage in the St Briavels area where unknown offenders had poured acid over a car.
"The car, a Renault Megane Scenic, was extensively damaged during the incident, which happened between 6pm on Thursday March 21 and 10.25am the following day.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 101 quoting incident 212 of March 22."
