A SCHOOL in Ryedale has suffered damage costing a total of about £1,000 in two graffiti attacks.

Staff at Norton College have spent hours scrubbing off obscene phrases scrawled in spray paint over buildings in the second attack in as many weeks.

PC Ian Fraser, of Malton Police, said vandals daubed the abusive graffiti over classrooms at the school in Langton Road between 5pm on Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday. The school was also attacked the previous weekend.

After attacking buildings, the vandals then sprayed nearby cars - a Ford Escort parked in Langley Drive, Norton, was painted with a 5ft black line along its length, causing £50 damage.

Inspector Neil Burnett, Ryedale area police commander, said the incidents were being investigated with full co-operation from the school, and he "strongly suspected" pupils or ex-pupils were responsible.

"Swift and firm action will be taken when we find out those responsible. Ryedale has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Of our crime, a sizeable proportion is criminal damage and vandalism, and of that a sizable proportion is graffiti. Together with the community safety partnership, Safer Ryedale, we have been targeting illegal graffiti for a couple of years now.

"Graffiti is the visible face of vandalism and criminal damage and it's something we are determined to tackle. The Government has enforced new legislation this year and more for next year to help the police and others tackle illegal graffiti," said Inspector Burnett.

He added that patrols in the area were being stepped up.

Head teacher Tony Rawdin said staff had worked over the weekend to remove "choice language" and swear words that had been daubed on temporary classrooms before pupils arrived on Monday.

"It's very upsetting to be the victim of such mindless vandalism when Norton College does so much to ensure a first-class learning environment for its pupils," said Mr Rawdin.

"We are working with parents to ensure that they are fully informed about the issue of anti-social behaviour in an attempt to make them exercise their own responsibilities."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Ryedale Witness Line on (01723) 509622.

Updated: 15:08 Wednesday, March 09, 2005