Sherwood Way in Fulwood, Preston, was left covered in broken glass on Monday morning after the thugs went on the rampage, destroying two bus shelters.

Coun Margaret McManus said: "What they don't seem to realise is that it all has to be paid for out of the council tax.

"Sherwood Way is a lovely road – the houses, the verges, it is all lovely.

"What do they get out of doing these mindless things?"

At one bus stop, a supermarket trolley was left hanging upside down through the glass.

The next bus stop on the route was also smashed and glass was left scattered throughout the seating area.

Coun McManus said: "They think it is funny but they do not consider the heartache that residents around there will be suffering. There is no laugh at all.

"What is funny about destroying public property?

"Their parents are paying for it to be repaired through the council tax.

"It is just mindless vandalism – I hope the police catch them and prosecute."

Last week, yobs shattered the window of a high speed Virgin train when they hurled stones at it in Euxton.

And earlier this month, brothers Jake and Dean McLaughlin were ordered out of the city after causing thousands of pounds worth of graffiti damage in Preston.

In 2005, hi-tech bus stops were fitted across Preston to give more accurate journey information on key bus routes.

In parts of Greater Manchester, miniature CCTV cameras have been installed in bus shelter ceilings to catch yobs.

Figures show the level of bus stop vandalism in those areas has fallen by around 10%.

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