THREE youths are being quizzed by police following a string of graffiti attacks in York.

The suspected vandals are being question in connection with the daubings that have defaced a number of buildings in York, including the historic Holgate Windmill.

During recent weeks, the Holgate Safer Neighbourhood Team has been making enquiries into a spate of graffiti "tagging" incidents throughout the Holgate area - including that at the windmill which is currently being restored.

The graffiti has been drawn using marker pens, spray paint and shoe polish and has been used to deface street furniture, private property, vehicles and buildings.

Bob Anderton, chairman of the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society, at the time said: "The windmill has not had any attention before from these youngsters who have been putting graffiti across the city. Yet now the mill is nearly restored and there is new, fresh white paint on the walls, these yobs have had a blank canvas to work on.

"I think it is appalling that people have treated such an important building in this despicable way."

On May 30 and June 1, three youths from the Holgate area were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

PC Paul Beckwith, the Safer Neighbourhood Police Officer for the area who had led this investigation, said: "Together with the Police Community Support Officers for Holgate, I have carried out extensive inquiries within the community to gather evidence and intelligence leading to those involved.

"In relation to two of the most prolific tags, I now know who is responsible, including those drawn on Holgate Windmill, and I expect prosecutions to follow."

He added that graffiti in neighbourhoods causes a "great deal of anxiety" for residents and generally leads to feelings of high crime levels and reduced levels of safety.

"It is something that we currently receive more complaints about than anything else," he said.

"As such, I consider these arrests to be a significant breakthrough in this investigation and will be working with City of York Council both in respect of removing any remaining graffiti on public property, and also tenancy enforcement where those responsible are living in council accommodation."

PC Beckwith is now hoping to appeal to parents to stop further vandalism in the area.

"I would now appeal to parents to be vigilant, as it seems to follow that those responsible for defacing public and private property in this way will have also done the same in their own rooms, and on school books or bags," he said.

"Young people need to be warned firmly that graffiti is criminal damage when marked on to property which is not their own. No matter how artistic they may feel it is, they commit a crime so will be arrested and dealt with accordingly."