A Bingley boss called for private patrols to protect businesses after a spate of attacks left him facing a massive clean-up bill.

Michael Heaton, managing director of Beton Machinery Sales Ltd, in Whitely Street, returned from a two-week business trip to the Middle East to find the front of his building had been splattered with paint.

Mr Heaton, who has been in the construction business for more than 30 years, said: "It is absolutely disgusting and we are at our wits end. It has been a big shock to return from a country which has no crime to come home to these acts of mindless vandalism."

The business, which supplies block-building equipment to the concrete industry, has been hit by vandals before.

An arson attack caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and the firm, which employs five people, had to spend the same amount on repairs in order to get insurance.

Mr Heaton said: "Last year we had to spend a lot of money on steel plating the doors and on repairs. Now we will have to pay out again. If we don't we won't get the insurance.

"We have had our windows smashed on numerous occasions and wondered if we were being targeted. It now seems that it's not just us but the whole area that is being targeted and we have had meetings with other businesses to discuss what we should do about it.

"We know who is doing this but the police say they cannot do anything because there is no proof. We see the gangs of lads aged about 16 hanging about."

Mr Heaton, who is also chairman of the Rotary Club in Baildon, said the vandalism was making life very hard for businesses in the area. A number had windows boarded up.

"Now our only option seems to be to make private patrols and take it in turns to keep watch. It's that or move out."

A police spokesman said the incident was being investigated.

He said: "We would appeal to anyone who might have information about those responsible to come forward."

Anyone with information should telephone (01535) 617059.