The company has revealed that in 2012 there were over a thousand recorded incidents of motorists being attacked by missiles, such as bricks thrown from bridges. That equates to a staggering average of more than two attacks every single day.

Thirteen police forces supplied information on missile throwing. The results show that there were 1,021 attacks during the year – more than double the figure recorded for 2011. Results last year, from 10 police forces, reported a total of 395 such incidents.

The research shows that the highest number of reported attacks took place in the East Midlands. Leicestershire saw the most incidents with 212, closely followed by neighboring Nottinghamshire where there were 190 attacks.

At the other end of the scale the Cambridgeshire and Avon and Somerset force areas appear to be safest parts of the country with only eight and six reported incidents respectively.

Autoglass has released a video demonstrating the impact of missiles to windscreens, which is available here.

Matthew Mycock, managing director of Autoglass, commented: ‘It is alarming to discover that the number of motorists attacked with bridge and roadside missiles is on the increase. As many motorists don’t report incidents, the true extent of the problem is yet to be revealed.  Our customers tell us about a wide range of problems they face on the roads each day, but this is by far the most distressing. What may seem a prank to some yobs is likely to result in tragedy and must be stopped.’

Encouragingly the research also shows that 75% of the incidents reported, resulted in arrests, with Autoglass’s Mycock commenting: ‘Autoglass is pleased to see that this problem is being tackled and 75% of such incidents result in arrest. It is a step in the right direction, but there is more that can be done. We are calling for all motorists affected by this crime to report it to the police, to enable them to takesteps to prevent a more serious incident happening next time.’

 The full results are listed below:

Avon and Somerset Constabulary – 6 incidents

Bedfordshire Police – 11 incidents

Cambridgeshire Constabulary – 8 incidents (2011 = 4)

Fife Constabulary – 12 incidents

Suffolk Constabulary – 38 incidents

Thames Valley Police – 119 incidents

Gloucestershire Constabulary – 31 incidents (2011 = 12)

Greater Manchester Police – 31 incidents

Nottinghamshire Police – 190 incidents

Northumbira Police – 49

Hertfordshire Constabulary – 80

Humberside Police – 70

Police Service of Scotland  – 106

Leicestershire Constabulary – 212