A MAN wielding a hammer smashed up 20 new cars before waiting for police to arrive – and then smashed another car in front of them.

The freak incident happened at the Hepworth Honda garage at Leeds Road in Deighton.

Shocked residents heard the sound of glass smashing and phoned police who were on the scene within minutes.

But this did not stop the suspect who then smashed another car windscreen in full view of police.

He finally dropped the hammer and was arrested.

No-one was injured in the incident.

Managing Director at Hepworth Honda Stephen Brighton said: “It is just a freak incident.

“We saw a man on CCTV. He smashed up 20 car windscreens and some passenger windows.

“He then waited two or three minutes and could probably hear the police sirens.

“Then, when police arrived, he smashed another car in front of them before dropping the hammer and put his arms up. He was then arrested.”

Mr Brighton added: “He could have gone left or right down Leeds Road but unfortunately he hit us with this random attack.

“We don’t employ thousands of people, we aren’t a faceless organisation. We employ 45 Huddersfield people and we have been left to pick up the pieces.

“In the current climate this kind of incident is so frustrating.”

He praised police for their prompt arrival and the neighbours who alerted them when the attacker struck at 6.30am last Sunday morning.

He added: “It was early Sunday morning so the public could have just ignored what they heard but fortunately they phoned the police.

“Our staff have been fantastic. They all worked flat out on Sunday.

“We had to move all the vehicles and clear up the glass. We have now put it behind us and it’s business as usual.”

Mr Brighton did not disclose the cost of the vehicles damaged, but said they would be making a claim on insurance.

Police confirmed a man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released on police bail.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101.