THE yob culture in a troubled village near York continues to worsen as vandals smashed up a cashpoint along its main shopping parade.

Businesses and community leaders in Strensall branded their behaviour "unacceptable" and feared those responsible may be invading the village from other areas.

The cashpoint, which is attached to the outside of the Costcutter store in Barley Rise, was wrecked by two youths, who yanked off its outer rim. No cash was taken.

Dave Taylor, who runs a butcher's shop next to the shop, said he discovered the damage when he arrived at work yesterday morning.

"It has got so much worse around these shops," he said.

"I was told by someone living nearby that they saw two young lads pulling apart the cashpoint. It's just mindless vandalism and it's difficult to know when it will stop.

"I don't think the police are patrolling the area properly."

The vandalism is the latest in a long line of recent incidents of young people causing trouble in the village.

The Press reported that a bus was attacked by up to 50 drunken teenagers and a father hit out at yobs who made inappropriate sexual suggestions to his son.

Strensall councillor Ian Cuthbertson said: "I'm concerned at the apparent increase in misbehaviour. It seems to be young people who are causing it.

"I'm not convinced that they are all from Strensall by any means.

"We very much hope the police will be doing something to tackle the possibility of mobile yobs getting up to this kind of behaviour."

Costcutter spokesman Graham Hey said such incidents discouraged residents from shopping locally.

"This is a continuing problem and we try to support our retailers as much as we can," he said.

"It can put businesses at risk."

A York police spokesman said they were investigating the matter and called on residents to continue reporting incidents.

Anyone with information should phone York police on 0845 60 60 247.