A MAN told today how teenagers had repeatedly smashed the windows of his York home - and claimed police had failed to deal with the culprits.

Philip Nicholson, 43, said local youths had thrown stones and smashed four windows at his house in Alcuin Avenue, Tang Hall.

"They did it in broad daylight in front of me," he said.

A week later, another window was broken in the early hours.

Mr Nicholson said these were just the latest in a series of incidents over the last couple of years, which included his car being torched while it was parked in his driveway.

He said it appeared he had been targeted simply because he was a single man living alone.

"They shout 'pervert!' These people are just sick," he said.

But he claimed that when he had complained to police, they had failed to arrest and charge those responsible.

"We have just had a 73 per cent hike in our payments to the police, and they have promised to improve policing," he said.

"The police turned up after the windows were smashed and said they were going to bring charges against them, and also interview a friend that was there, but they haven't. I am absolutely appalled.

"These people have broken the law and should be brought to court."

But police insisted today that, while no one had yet been arrested in connection with the incidents, they did take such matters seriously. "We certainly do not dismiss them lightly," said Sergeant Colin Ventress.

He said police records showed that Mr Nicholson had twice reported his windows being attacked, with two windows being smashed on one occasion, but he had not witnessed the youth committing the crime. He said a group of youths were suspects but there had to be sufficient evidence for a prosecution to be brought, and this was not the case so far.

"The inquiries are ongoing," he added.

Updated: 10:58 Tuesday, April 22, 2003