Vandals trash family home with paint, shampoo and bleach in bewildering attack

Vandals have ransacked a family home, pouring paint and cleaning products over the walls and furniture in an attack that has left police bewildered.

The property, owned by a family-of-five in County Durham, was "completely" wrecked in what detectives believe was a motiveless crime.

Paint, shampoo and cleaning products were poured over the walls, television, carpets, windows and furniture.

Bleach was also poured into the kettle and musical instruments owned by the children were also targeted.

The break-in took place on Tuesday morning shortly after the parents and their three children left the house in Petterson Dale, Coxhoe.

When the husband returned at around 2pm, he discovered the vandals had broken into the house through the rear door. Although nothing was stolen, the vandals ransacked cupboards and drawers.

The couple, who do not want to be identified, said: "We just do not understand why anyone would go to such lengths to vandalise our family home. How do you begin to explain this to our children?"

Detective Constable Nigel Dowd said: “The interior has been completely vandalised, and in 20 years of policing I have never seen anything like this.

“At this stage we have no clear motive and would urge anyone in the area of Petterson Dale who might have seen or heard anything suspicious on Tuesday to contact us.

“Please contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 if you have information which may help the investigation.”