VANDALS have targeted one of York's main shopping streets, putting windows through at two of its stores.

Large windows at both the River Island clothes shop and The Phone People mobile phone shop, in Coney Street, were put through.

Windows were also smashed at a third shop, although workers there said the damage was accidental.

Tracy McLaughlin, department manager at River Island, said: "We have had small windows put through before, but never one of the big ones like this.

"It set the alarm off and the police were called. No one has been in and nothing was taken, but it is still really annoying, there's no need for it."

When the Evening Press visited Coney Street, The Phone People shop, opposite River Island, was closed.

Windows had also been broken at the T-Mobile shop in Coney Street, but a member of staff told the Evening Press the damage had been caused by "an accident."

It is thought the windows were smashed between 9pm and 10pm on Sunday.

But York Police say no complaints of vandalism had been received.

A spokesman said officers were called to River Island after the burglar alarm went off, but the shop was in order when they got there.

"The shop's keyholder attended and the incident was treated as a false alarm," he said.

Meanwhile, the disused church and former Arts Centre, in Micklegate, also appears to have come under attack from vandals after a number of small window panes were smashed.

The building is currently out of use since the arts centre closed in summer 1999, but is now up for sale.

- Just over two years ago, Leonard Yeo, owner of Burgins Perfumery, on the corner of Coney Street, clashed with City of York Council over metal security shutters he attached to his business.

He claimed the perfumery was the most vandalised in York after its windows were smashed five times in a year, and erected the shutters without planning permission.

But the council ordered him to take them down, prompting Mr Yeo to threaten to chain himself to his shop front.

Updated: 11:19 Tuesday, May 21, 2002