AN AWARD-WINNING community project and a string of York businesses are facing repair bills costing thousands after vandals went on a late-night spree.

The yobs targeted the windows of the Space 109, the post office and a row of shops in Walmgate.

Police are appealing for help to track down the hooligans while the owners of the buildings say the “mindless” attack is more evidence that CCTV cameras are needed to combat crime in the area.

The window smashing happened either late on Wednesday night or in the early hours of Thursday, affecting about six premises.

None were forced to close and nothing was stolen, but the cost of replacing each pane has been put at £1,000.

Space 109 provides activities for local people and won the Best Community Project gong at last year’s Press Community Pride Awards.

Its founder, Joanne Pullar, said they would now have to devote money which could have been spent on other vital areas towards the repairs.

“We work with children so having windows damaged can be quite dangerous for them,” she said.

“It will cost around £2,000 to repair two windows, which is money we could have used for other purposes, and we don’t have a lot of funds to spare. It’s wilful destruction.

“Maybe it’s a joke to them, but this is a project the community respects and it certainly isn’t a joke to us.

“This strengthens our case for asking for CCTV to be installed in this area, which we have been campaigning to get for a long time. We’ve had various incidents on Walmgate, but nobody seems to think it’s justified.

“It’s ridiculous that we don’t have it because it lessens the chances of those who did it being caught.”

John Maughan, who owns Printer People – another business affected – said: “The window attacked had an art-deco frosted logo so it will cost around £1,500 to repair.

“It’s mindless and caused a lot of inconvenience because we had to spend the first few hours of our working day sorting this out. We need CCTV coverage.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to these businesses, which is unacceptable and upsetting for all concerned.”

Anybody who saw the window smashing or has any information should phone York Police on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.