TWO youths are being hunted by Kent Police following a £50,000 wrecking spree involving more than 30 cars.

Paint stripper has been poured over the vehicles in the St Dunstan’s and St Stephen’s areas of Canterbury.

Two teenagers are believed to have been responsible for the attacks which happened over two weekends.

One of the victims was businessman Richard Searle, who faces a £3,600 bill to repair and respray his three year-old silver Toyota Rav.

Mr Seale, who runs a business in Whitstable Road, Canterbury, only bought the vehicle for £13,750 a few weeks ago and had parked on a neighbour’s drive in Pine Tree Avenue.

He said: “The roof and the driver’s door is particularly badly damaged. The car is driveable but although I can claim the cost of repair on my vehicle insurance, my premium will rise by £1,000 as a result of this vandalism.

Mr Searle, who wants CCTV cameras to be installed in the area, added: “It looks as if they have used paint stripper. My fear is that they could return and do it again.

Police has issued descriptions of two teenage boys, believed to have used corrosive spray or liquid on the bodywork of the cars in two separate attacks.

One is described as aged 13-14, about 5ft tall and wearing a dark blue hooded top with Bench emblem on the front and dark jeans.

The other is thought to be aged 17-18, 5ft 9ins with blond hair. He was wearing a dark blue hooded top with an Adidas logo and dark coloured jogging bottoms.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 01227 868340 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The roads targeted by the vandals include Bishops Way, Pine Tree Avenue, Harcourt Drive, Roper Close, Cross Street, Roper Road, Roseacre Close, Pound Lane, and the city end of Whitstable Road.

At the last count 34 cars had been damaged. Eight of the vehicles were taken for re-sprays to Stocks Garage on the Vauxhall Industrial Estate.

Owner David Ward said the victims faced bills of more than £2,000 each with the damage to Mr Searle’s car costing £3,600.

He said: “The disappointing thing for the owners is that many will lose their no claims bonus and some will have to pay the excess on their insurance premiums."