SIMMERING resentment against commuters parking their cars on a Winchester estate looks to have boiled over into a spate of vandalism.

Vandals damaged 16 vehicles parked in Hillier Way, Abbotts Barton. They had their bonnets or wings scratched with a sharp implement sometime between 9am and 2.45pm on Monday, April 27, police said.

Damage has been estimated at a four-figure sum.

Hillier Way, which has no parking restrictions, is popular with commuters, much to the annoyance of some nearby residents.

Winchester has had a residents-only parking scheme since 1996, barring commuters from leaving their cars in most roads in the city centre and immediate suburbs such as Hyde, Fulflood and Highcliffe.

But Abbotts Barton has never been covered, and the numbers of vehicles parked there in the daytime has been increasing in recent years.

Local ward councillor, Dominic Hiscock, said: “This is unfortunate and unusual. Vandalism is normally caused by drunks on the way home at night. This seems more considered and targeted.

“There is a growing sense of resentment because residents are finding it increasingly difficult to park anywhere near their own houses.”

Cllr Hiscock said the problem had worsened in the last two years following the partial closure of the Tower Street multi-storey car park.

He said county council staff are now unable to park there and are, instead, encouraged to use a temporary site in Bar End.

However, council staff coming from the north are reluctant to travel the extra distance, and some prefer to park in Abbotts Barton.

City councillor Sue Nelmes, who represents the area, said: “People don’t like people parking their cars. I am surprised.

Anti-commuters don’t normally resort to that sort of measure.”

People living in the southern part of Abbotts Barton, near Hillier Way were keener on joining the residents-only parking scheme, but those further away resist the idea because they are less affected, said Mr Hiscock.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact PC Jonathan Duggan at Winchester police station on 0845 045 45 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Another part of Winchester outside the residents-only parking area is St Giles Hill, a private estate. Recently, signs have been erected requesting people not to park on their roads.