BUSINESS owners have been left furious after vandals damaged shops in Cleator Moor.

Multiple shop windows on Cleator Moor’s High Street were damaged on Sunday evening. Businesses hit include Moffats pub; Wilsons Butchers and Bakers as well as fast food takeaways, Marmaris Star, Spice House, Caspian and Chattanooga. A representative of Cumbria Police said: “We were called at around 00.35am to a report of a number of businesses having windows damaged in Cleator Moor.

“A 19 year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.”

The suspect was later released under investigation.

A shopkeeper who did not want to be named said: “It has happened before but not on this scale.”

Owner of Farrell Sports in Cleator Moor and the town’s Chamber of Trade chairman, David Farrell said: “It is unwelcome, it is unnecessary, it reinforces a stereotype of the town.”

He believes the vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the area is due to a lack of policing, CCTV and prospects for young people: “We should be looking for the police presence in the town to go back to what it was before the cuts came in. I have noticed over the past four to five years, the police presence in the town has dwindled.

“Does that reflect on a social issue within the town? There is a certain element within the town of people who don’t have prospects. "It reflects a malaise in the town, we have really got to ask questions."

However, he added: “The Towns Fund helps give some grounds for optimism. What has happened is very disappointing but at the same time, the chamber of trade are working to improve the town.”