YORK MP Hugh Bayley today hit out at vandals, after his car windscreen was shattered in the city.

It was an unhappy Hallowe'en for Mr Bayley, who returned from business in Westminster to find the front screen of his Volkswagen Golf estate badly damaged. The Labour MP believes bottle-throwing vandals may be responsible, after glass was found near his car.

Damage occurred when the vehicle was parked at the long-stay car park at York Railway Station.

Mr Bayley today told the Evening Press he had been the victim of car crime in the past - but he did not believe any of the incidents were deliberate acts by angry voters. However, he said the break, which will probably cost a couple of hundred pounds to repair, was "enormously frustrating".

The MP said: "British Transport Police had a look at the damage on Sunday.

"It looks like someone walking along the Queen Street bridge towards the station has thrown a bottle which has hit my car parked underneath."

Previous random attacks on Mr Bayley's car include aerials being snapped and radios being stolen. The MP now removes his radio from his car when he parks.

Mr Bayley said most people in the city had suffered in similar ways at the hands of vandals.

He said: "Most people have a car which they park in the street and have had similar problems with windows, radios or tyres. It's enormously frustrating, and people should realise that when they cause damage that the cost comes back to them.

"If they damage a car insurance premiums all rise; if they vandalise public property council tax goes up, and if they attack private businesses, prices are increased."

A British Transport Police spokesman confirmed that a car windscreen was reported damaged just before 5pm on Sunday. He said it may have been caused by a stone being thrown from a nearby bridge.

John Gelson, a spokesman for car park operator GNER, said it was helping police investigate the incident.

He said: "We are concerned to learn of this unfortunate incident.

"Thankfully, such incidents in the station car park are relatively rare, and this appears to have been an isolated occurrence.

"We are co-operating fully with the British Transport Police to investigate and trace those responsible."

Anyone with information should phone the transport police on 0800 405040.

Updated: 08:27 Tuesday, November 02, 2004