A BROMSGROVE firm is hitting back at the vandals who caused more than £70,000 of damage by implementing drastic new security measures.

Car Crash Line UK is investing a whopping £25,000 to improve security at its Aston Fields site after vandals wreaked havoc overnight last Monday.

The company, which supplies courtesy cars to insurance firms, had 18 of its vehicles damaged with tyres slashed and windows smashed. Seven of the cars were completely written off, totting up a bill of more than £70,000.

Paul Cave, depot manager, said: "We immediately employed an on-site security guard, which will cost in the region of £20,000 a year.

"We are also having CCTV cameras installed this Friday, at a cost of about £4,500.

"We have had some of the cars broken into before but nothing as bad as this."

He added: "I think someone cut themselves while smashing one of the windows, so at least the police will have some evidence to work with."

The nationwide firm, which regularly had between 40 and 50 vehicles on site, also plans to lock more of the vehicles away at night.

"However, we will never be able to lock all of them away. There will always be some cars outside," said Paul.

Last week, the Advertiser/Messenger reported the orgy of vandalism in Aston Road and Sherwood Road, which took place last Monday.

Police are still awaiting the results of forensic investigations.