by Lynn Cox

Nine cars and a caravan were damaged when a Land Rover rammed into them while their owners slept.

Neighbours were woken by the noise and looked out to see the Land Rover Discovery crashing into the parked vehicles.

The incident happened just after midnight in Farnham Close, Rainham, on Tuesday and the damaged cars included a Jaguar XJ6 and a Mercedes C200.

The Land Rover reversed into the Jaguar and pushed it into another car which forced the Mercedes into a concrete post of a garden.

It then smashed into a parked Ford Escort sending it careering across Wakeley Road.

It is thought the vehicle then struck other cars and the caravan parked on a driveway in nearby Harwood Road.

The navy blue vehicle carried out its wrecking spree before being driven off leaving baffled owners to call the police.

George Tidey, 64, of Farnham Close, Rainham, said: "I was in bed and woke to hear an loud blowing noise, it was like an exhaust was blown. I looked out and could see the Land Rover had backed onto the Jaguar and shoved it back into the other cars.

"I can’t think why someone would do such a thing, he also clipped other cars on the way out of the road and one ended up in the middle of the road where he just drove straight into it."

Another resident who heard the commotion but didn’t want to be named, said the Land Rover had no lights on so they were unable to take the registration.

"We were woke at about 12.30am by the sound of the vehicle hitting a car up the road from us," said the resident. "It then went down and hit a neighbour’s fence and then went round the corner and we heard another loud bang."

Police have launched an investigation, but have so far not made any arrests.

DCI Andy Pritchard added: "Police were called following reports that a number of vehicles had been damaged. When patrols arrived it was clear vehicles on Wakeley Road, Otterham Quay Lane, Farnham Road and Harwood Road had all been damaged.

"Officers attended the area to search for the offending vehicle, but it wasn’t found. Neighbourhood Officers will be going out to the area to speak with all of the people affected.

"At the moment we don’t know the reasons for the incident but are keen for people to come forward with information."

Anyone with information can contact Kent Police on 01622 690690.