SHOPKEEPERS in Earby have called for a police presence near their shops after windows were smashed in a night of vandalism.

Several thousands of pounds of damage was caused to front windows at shops in Victoria Road, including Robinson's of Earby butchers, A. M. Down Newsagents, Tyson's Plaice, Maggie's Allsorts, R and B Upholstery and Our Cafe were targeted during the early hours of this morning, as well as windows at two flats at either end of the road.

Police said there had also been damage to a car in New Road but they did not know if this was connected.

PC Mark Hyde said: "We think it happened between 12.40am and 2am.

"A couple of people have told me they heard a noise at about 1.40am but they didn't see anything.

"Some of the damage was hidden by stock in the window so they did not notice it.

"All we ask is that even if people think it might be nothing, they should still ring us and we will try to come straight round.

"That may have helped in this instance." Bob Spencer, owner of Our Cafe, had two of his windows smashed. He said: "We are thinking of withholding our rates or at least part of it until something is done about this. There's probably one window goes through every weekend and the main problem is that there are no police around."