Multiple cars in one part of Merseyside were damaged after a "black substance" was poured over them.
People living in the Marshside area of Southport found their cars damaged after being covered in the "black tar-like substance", in attacks which police believe happened overnight between Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12.
Residents living on Glencoyne Drive, Hartland Avenue, Dawlish Drive, Truro Avenue and Seaton Way all reported their vehicles being damaged.
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Some cars were also reported to have been scratched.
Speaking to the ECHO, one resident said she found her car damaged on Sunday morning after her next door neighbour knocked and told her.
She said the substance looked like "black tar" which appeared to have been "thrown " on the car's bonnet.
The Southport resident said it took more than an hour to get the substance off and claims she was told by one neighbour that they found a broken Stanley knife near their car.
She told the ECHO: "It took us over an hour to get it off, a neighbour across the road gave us some cleaning product and I also found some of my own which got it out thank goodness.
"A neighbour's car was scratched and they found a broken Stanley knife blade by their car, some cars have been badly scratched.
"Apparently we were only ones who had their car on the driveway that got targeted."
Multiple residents took to social media to share reports a black substance had also been thrown on their cars.
People were left in disbelief at what happened, with many calling the people who carried out the act "scumbags".
One person said: "There are some terrible people in the world."
Another added: "Even a grey car got it! Absolutely senseless. Who walks around with that kind of stuff?"
In a statement on Sefton police's Facebook page officers said they had visited most of the people who had their cars damaged on Sunday.
Officers urged other people who may have been impacted to also come forward.
A spokesperson said: "We are aware from elsewhere on social media that a number of cars were damaged overnight Saturday, December 11 into Sunday, December 12 in the Marshside area.
"Vehicles parked on Glencoyne Drive, Hartland Avenue, Dawlish Drive, Truro Avenue and Seaton Way were covered in a black tar like substance and in some cases vehicles were scratched.
"PCSO's have today been and, with the help of the local 'Crimewatch Southport and Surrounding Area' admins, visited most victims and taken details of the cars damaged, but some victims were not at home.
"If you were not visited today (Sunday, December 12) and wish to report damage to your vehicle please either report it online at https://crowd.in/kkmWgE or on Facebook at MERSEYSIDE POLICE CONTACT CENTRE. Alternatively you can use the 101 service.
"Please do not report it in comments on this post, as the report needs to follow the correct process.
"We believe the damage took place between midnight and the early hours of the morning and would appeal to anyone who saw or heard people in this area at the time, or who may have CCTV or dash cam footage that may have captured the offenders.
"You can contact us with details of any CCTV at the following e mail address and we will arrange for it to be viewed: B.Community.hub.2@merseyside.pnn.police.uk."
