A YORK businessman said he had been driven to despair by daily attacks from graffiti vandals in the city.

Simon Langley, 24, who owns York IT Services in Hull Road, said he was so infuriated by the scrawls on his business premises walls and windows that he was tempted to stage an all-night vigil at his shop to catch the culprits in the act.

Mr Langley said: "I'm not a violent person, so nothing would happen, but I get so infuriated by mindless acts like this.

"I haven't done anything to hurt anybody, so why are they doing it to me and to the rest of York?

"You work so hard for something and put all your time and effort into trying to make a real go of it, then someone comes along and covers it with graffiti within the space of seconds.

"It looks like I don't care about getting the problem solved, but I am unhappy about it. I do give a damn about it."

Mr Langley said he has reported the incidents to the police. He has also informed City of York Council, but was told that the council could only clean the mess, a service which he would have to pay for.

Mr Langley opened the computer repair shop in July, employing two people. He said the business had been successful, although he was worried about the negative effect the graffiti had on passing trade.

He said: "Every day when I come to my shop there seems to be more and more graffiti.

"I keep cleaning it off, but no one seems to be listening to me about it.

"I want people to stand up to it - it's just a bloody mess. And it gives such a bad impression of York."

Craig Young, store manager at nearby Kwik Save, said: "I've worked in Hull and Leeds and it's not bad in comparison.

"It's just kids around here that are bored and have nothing else to do. We'll never stop them in this day and age."

Gillian Race, store manager of Wine Cellar in Hull Road, said: "We have had graffiti on the walls that I've had to paint out.

"I've noticed quite a few houses around here have suffered."

PC Nick Bailey, community officer for the Hull Road area, said he would visit Mr Langley to discuss the problem.

He said: "Graffiti is classed as criminal damage. It is a crime and we are anxious to stamp it out."

Updated: 11:08 Thursday, November 04, 2004