THE mother of a seriously ill boy was among three residents subjected to a spate of vandalism on a Poole estate.

Asher Nardone, who lives in Grange Gardens, Rossmore, and whose 10-year-old son Calum has severe cerebral palsy, had her car sprayed with paint as she watched TV at around 11pm on Saturday.

Two other residents had their cars sprayed, while another had a brick thrown through her window.

Police are appealing for witnesses who can identify the culprits, who were caught on a CCTV camera mounted on Miss Nardone's home.

Asher, who has now had her car vandalised 12 times since last September, said: "My neighbour rang me and asked me if I was okay because she had heard smashing glass. I told her I would go and check the CCTV and when I rewound it I saw a teenager coming up my drive with what looked like a knife and stabbing two of my tyres. He didn't even hesitate about coming up my drive despite the camera.

"My neighbour said I'm going out to check my car' and found that hers had been vandalised too. She was on the phone in tears. I called another neighbour who said They have done my car too.' "They wrote grass' on a sign outside her house. The whole thing must have taken about six minutes. It makes me worry because what happens if someone had gone out to confront the youth who had a skewer or knife in his hand?"

She added: "Calum has to have an important operation in 10 days and I could do without this now. I have had people saying why don't you move? But I can not move in to temporary accommodation now without the ramps and special light switch that this place has.

"It is fight or flee for me."

Inspector Rob Snow of Poole police said: "There has been a multi-agency approach to this incident, which has included ourselves, the Poole Housing Partnership and Poole Council. From this we have a number of actions which will include enhanced patrols and support and we appeal for anyone with information to contact us."

Dorset Police can be called anonymously on 01202 222 222.