GUESTHOUSE owners in Bootham claim car vandalism will drive away tourists if the problem goes unchecked.

Their outburst follows damage to a line of parked cars early last Saturday morning.

Neil Ducker, of the Abingdon Guest House, Bootham Crescent, said: "A group ran amok and caused £78 of damage to our car. When I saw it, it was obvious they had run across the roof, because there was a boot mark and a dent, then jumped on to the bonnet. And they ripped off a wing mirror."

He said another car had been scratched and the rear number plate stolen, and on another, a wing mirror had been removed. In all, he said, 12 cars had been damaged.

Police called to the scene said guests were still emptying from a private function at the York City Supporters' Club when the damage was done.

But Keith Usher, from York City Football Club, said: "Nobody has any proof it was people from the social club. Everybody's assuming.

There was a function on at the time, but I can't prove or disprove it and no-one else can either. I've got no comment to make."

Mr Ducker said his patience with the vandals was exhausted. "I have to explain to tourists, 'park your car but take everything out so there is nothing visible'. What thoughts go through their minds? I have had just about enough with the vandalism. Once upon a time, Bootham Crescent was a nice place to live."

Police said they were investigating attacks on six cars in Bootham Crescent.

But a spokesman said Saturday's incident was isolated as far as they knew.

"Over the last six months there was only one other incident of damage reported to a car in Bootham Crescent.

"Maybe people aren't bothering reporting incidents - how can we target resources if we don't know there is a problem."

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