Police say 42 vehicles vandalized in 'campaign of destruction' in Nanaimo, B.C.

Investigators say at least 42 incidents of broken windows, flattened tires and smashed mirrors were reported to police overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. (Handout)

Mounties are investigating after more than 40 vehicles were vandalized in what police described as a "campaign of destruction" across Nanaimo, B.C.

Investigators say at least 42 incidents of broken windows, flattened tires and smashed mirrors were reported to police overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning.

Three vehicles parked at Vancouver Island University sustained smashed windows, while nine vehicle owners on Harwell Road, near Westwood Lake, reported their driver's side windows had been broken, police said in a statement Thursday.

"It appeared that a small projectile may have been fired at the windows," the statement said.

Similar reports of broken glass and slashed or deflated tires came in from residential streets near Bowen Park, the Woodgrove shopping centre and in the city's downtown core.

"All of the vehicles targeted were either parked on the street or in parkades or parking lots," the RCMP said.

Investigators say most of the incidents occurred between the hours of 11 p.m. Tuesday and 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.

"This is very disturbing and has caused immense disruption and significant financial loss to many vehicle owners," Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson Const. Gary O’Brien said in the statement.

Anyone with information, video or evidence related to the vandalism spree is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.