A CAFE owner says little is being done to stop drunken vandals causing night-time damage to town centre property.
Cafe Red on Cross Church Street in Huddersfield had its window cracked over Christmas – for the second time in the space of a few months.
Manager Richard Smith said the previous incident cost him £1,800.
He added: “When I reported the latest one, at first the police didn’t want to send anyone down. Then it was suggested I put shutters on the windows – but I can’t because we’re in a conservation area.
“The trouble is being caused by drunks who think they can do whatever they like. The police need to clamp down on them.
“It seems like the authorities are happy to take our business rates, but when something like this happens they bury their heads.”
Sgt John McFadzean, of Huddersfield’s town centre policing team, said such incidents were treated seriously.
He said Cross Church Street was a problem area because people who had been out drinking congregated there to use the takeaways after pubs and clubs shut.
“There’s extra police in that area,” he added.
“We can’t stand an officer outside everyone’s window, but the crime will be looked at and CCTV trawled through. Criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are among our main priorities”.
