Vandals are said to have smashed windows and stolen steering wheels from a number of cars.

Matthew Cornelissen’s BMW 3 series was broken into at around 11pm on Sunday night (July 23) in The Tideway, Rochester.

He said: “I heard tyres screeching and then a window smash. I saw a red car pull up on the driver’s side.

“They did not even get out of the car. By the time I had gone downstairs, they had gone.”

The 25-year-old said the whole incident happened within about a minute – from smashing the window and stealing the steering wheel.

He added: “It happened so quickly. I felt absolutely helpless. I could not even drive after them. I am gutted really. It is not the best feeling.”

Matthew said he has seen other reports of people’s cars being broken into in the Borstal and Rochester areas.

Police officers have confirmed they are investigating a report that a steering wheel was stolen from a car parked, in Hawser Road.

Anyone with information that may assist is being urged to call the force on 01634 792209, quoting reference 23-1472.

Last year, BMW drivers in Chatham were also hit by a string of steering wheel thefts.

Multiple vehicles were broken into by having their front windows smashed but nothing else was taken from them.