MINDLESS vandals have smashed 20 windows and caused £2,500 of criminal damage at a York centre for vulnerable people.

Police are appealing for information after six reports of vandalism this month at the Yearsley Bridge Day Care Centre, in Huntington Road, for adults with learning disabilities.

Inspector Richard Anderson, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing in the area, said: "My concern is it appears youths have been getting into the site. Then they have been getting up on to the roof and ripping slates off the roof, then throwing them through the double-glazed windows.

"They are causing damage to a property used by vulnerable people.

"Yearsley Bridge is a centre for people with learning difficulties and this is obviously not very nice for them. There has also been some graffiti sprayed on the building.

"This is not just a one-off - it's been going on for a month now. About 20 windows have been broken during the course of the month."

He said the Heworth neighbourhood policing team was stepping up patrols in the area and speaking to residents in a bid to catch the culprits.

He appealed to anyone who may have information about the attacks to contact police.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "We're very disappointed by the recent vandalism at Yearsley Bridge and would appeal to anyone with any information about the damage to contact the police."

Campaigners are currently battling to stop the closure of the centre.

Carers and relatives launched an action group last month against a council decision to shut the centre next year as part of a modernisation programme.

Anyone with information should phone York Police on 0845 6060247.