Four new houses in Barton have been broken into and vandalised before anyone has even moved into them.

The homes, part of a new development off Smithcombe Close, were broken into between 4pm on Friday (November 14) and 9am on Monday. In one house the vandals discovered eight tins of paint and threw them all over the inside of the house, covering the walls, windows, window sills and electrical sockets.

Tools and copper piping were stolen from the other properties, and one house was left with its patio doors badly damaged.

Bedfordshire Police are now appealing for information from anyone who saw the vandals after their wrecking spree.

A spokesman for the force said: "This is plainly a case of mindless criminal damage. It's possible the offenders may have splashed themselves with magnolia paint so we want to appeal to anyone who recalls seeing people with paint on them, or heard them bragging about the incident, to contact us."

Anyone with any information about the incident should telephone PC Kylie Moxham on 01234 841212 or text Bedfordshire Police on 07786 200011. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.