A LOCAL councillor has slammed vandals who smashed a window at a vital community facility.

Staff at Yewdale Community Centre noticed the damage on Thursday morning and have since urged anyone with information to get in touch with police.

It is the second time the centre has been targeted in four months, after Yewkids Nursery - which is attached to the community centre - was trashed by thugs in October.

Three young people in the west of the city were issued with letters banning certain behaviour and warning them further action may be taken against them if they didn't stop causing problems.

Yewkids Nursery staff were devastated to find their outdoor area had been trashed and strewn with rubbish - including cigarette ends and takeaway boxes - on October 15 last year.

According to the manager of the centre Steve Carter, problems have escalated in recent months.

He explained: "In the last couple of months we have seen isolated pockets of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage around the building and on Wednesday night we had a window broken in our reception.

"If any of our community report anything they have seen to 101, or go onto the non-emergency crime reporting form online - that would be helpful."

It is not expected that fixing the window will be cheap.

"By the time we factor in the call-out charge, you are talking at least a few hundred pounds," explained Mr Carter.

"I expect between 400 and 500 pounds."

He added: "We try and support the community with community-based activities.

"Money is very tight, so we are very disappointed some people would do that."

Councillor for Yewdale, Robert Currie said: "It is shocking that it has happened again, it's completely mindless.

"If you are just doing it to have a laugh with your friends, what is the point?

"All you are doing is hurting people locally."

Coun Currie continued: "You are not helping anyone by acting in this way, not even yourselves.

"At some point when the police get involved you will be punished. It is just stupid."

A police spokesman said: "Police were called at 8.38am yesterday (February 14) following a report of a window being smashed at a building on Hutton Way, Carlisle.

"The window was smashed between 9pm the night before and 7am that day (February 14).

"Anyone with information can contact officers on 101."