Hooded Vandals Caught On CCTV Keying More Than £1 Million Worth Of Cars At Posh London Garage

Hooded vandals broke in to a garage and keyed more than £1 million worth of cars - amid claims it was sabotage by a rival dealer.

Four Mercedes, two Range Rovers and three Audis were among vehicles damaged during the incident at Automotive Repair Systems in Orpington, south east London, last month.

Some £40,000 worth of damage was caused to 97 vehicle panels.

“We didn’t know until the next day when one of our guys saw all of the cars had a big key scratch across them,” said managing director Andy Patterson.

“We don’t know who has done it but it’s a gut feeling that it’s a competitor,” the 42-year-old said.

“We operate 24 hours a day except Friday and Saturday night and we’re not exactly in the walking distance of a pub, so someone came for a purpose,” he added.

While Mr Patterson said he could claim the cost of the damage on insurance, his staff have had to put off work to repair each and every car.

He said: “We don’t make any money on insurance work, so I am disappointed but I won’t lose any sleep over it."

The garage is no stranger to repairing expensive cars, however, and has branches in Liverpool as well as the Middle East.

Andy added: "We think they jumped over the gate which stands at just four foot high. But since we’ve put in new fencing, upgraded our CCTV and now have 24 hour security."

The Met Police confirmed the reports and are investigating the incident.

A spokesperson said: "Police were called to reports of twenty vehicles being damaged at a car dealership in Lower Hook Business Park, Orpington on 27 September.

"The damage is believed to have been caused overnight from Saturday, 26 September into Sunday, 27 September.”

(Pictures credited to SWNS)