A MAN has slammed vandals and called for an end to the streetlight blackout after the windows of his van were smashed.

Richard Naylor, of Saville Street, Walton, arrived at his home on Sunday to find that his van had been targeted in an overnight attack.

The windows on the driver and passenger sides were shattered.

Mr Naylor said: “I was away overnight and it was a nasty surprise when I got home.

“They had smashed through both big windows. I don’t know if it was just mindless vandalism or if they were trying to steal something from inside."

Mr Naylor claims criminals have been helped by the streetlight switch off, which has left most of Tendring in darkness between midnight and 5am each day.

He added: “The lights were on for the security of residents. It can be no surprise to anyone that when you turn them off you get an increase in crime.

“There’s no way of linking incidents with the lights being off, but this is a prime example of what can happen."

Anyone with information on the vandal attack should contact police on 101.