The Helensburgh community is in shock after vandals left a trail of graffiti stretching several kilometres, targeting businesses, homes and cars.It is believed the attack may be a reprisal, related to a brawl on the Central Coast on Saturday.Police said 23 cases of malicious damage were recorded in the incident that occurred between 12.30am and 1.30am yesterday, leaving a repair bill estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars.The Helensburgh postcode and "2508 sux" was scrawled throughout the town, featuring most prominently in the CBD and branching along Parkes and Walker streets.The heritage-listed Helensburgh Post Office building was hit, angering licensee Greg Watts."It's an absolute disgrace. This building is more than 100 years old," he said.Helensburgh Butchery manager Michael Bowron was on deck at 6am yesterday cleaning off the paintwork smeared across the business' window.The owners of Grima Bros Fresh Market had a disappointing setback to their official opening today, with a freshly painted wall vandalised. The entrance to the town's war memorial was also hit.Long-time residents were also angered. "I'd just like to get a hold of the little bastards and give them a kick up the arse," Eric Taylor, 67, said. "I have lived in Helensburgh all my life and I have never seen anything like this."Graham Sloan, a resident of Helensburgh for 34 years, agreed. "I am really pissed off. This is a nice, clean little town. I don't know how people can get their rocks off doing this."A teacher at Helensburgh Public School said her students had been "mortified" by the incident.Helensburgh Beautification Project co-ordinator Scott Smith said he was disappointed by the damage, especially given the four years of work by volunteers to upgrade the town centre.Wollongong Police Chief Inspector Ken McDonald said CCTV footage had recorded some of the vandalism and he was confident of an arrest.Included in the graffiti was "2263 > 2508", suggesting 2263 - the postcode for Toukley - was greater than Helensburgh.Chief Insp McDonald confirmed police were looking into a possible link between the vandalism and a brawl that occurred at Toukley on Saturday, involving 20 revellers and resulting in several arrests.Residents suggested members of a Helensburgh sporting club might have been involved, although Toukley police said no Illawarra resident was charged in relation to the brawl.Insp McDonald said the CCTV footage had been sent for inspection by police on the Central Coast.