TEACHERS and pupils returned to four York schools today after the Bank Holiday break to find that vandals had struck, causing widespread damage.

The most serious incident appeared to be at Oaklands School, in Acomb, where a volley of bricks had been thrown at windows, smashing 24 of them.

The attack took place between 3.30pm on Monday and 7am today.

The windows in the Secondary Support Centre in Cornlands Road, on the same site as Oaklands School, were also broken.

In other incidents, a brick was thrown through the window of the gym at the Mount School, off Dalton Terrace, between noon yesterday and 6am today.

Two white rabbits were also stolen from Galtres School, in Bad Bargain Lane, Tang Hall, which is a school for children with special needs, over the Bank Holiday weekend. The thieves caused damage to the school's courtyard and broke some windows.

Skelton Primary School was also attacked by vandals. A skylight at the school was smashed over the weekend.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said there was no suggestion that the four incidents were connected.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "We work hard to try and limit vandalism in all our schools, and will continue to work with all the relevant parties to do so."

A resident, who lives near Oaklands School, and who asked not to be named, said: "It's getting out of hand. I think they are idiots.

"It's such a waste of money, that's what gets me. It has been going on for quite a while there.

"There are cameras all around but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I feel sorry for the old age pensioners that live near the school."

He said that gangs of youngsters, aged about 12 and 13, regularly caused damage to the hedges in Cornlands Road.

Updated: 13:05 Tuesday, May 04, 2004