CONCERNS have been raised over a spate of vandalism in Rillington.

Most recently the village’s phone box, which is one of a number in Ryedale under threat, was targeted.

Vandals smashed all the windows in the phone box, which is situated at the junction of Low Moorgate and Rillington, last Thursday.

Cllr Nathan Garbutt Moore, who represents the Rillington ward on Ryedale District Council, said: “I have met with a couple of residents who are concerned about a number of incidents of vandalism in the village, including the phone box.

“The incidents have been reported to the police, names of young people have come up on a number of occasions and will also be passed on for the police to follow up.

“There are some concerns that there appears to be no action taken, please be assured collaboratively with the RDC community officers and Rillington Parish Council I am pushing for this to be addressed.”

Cllr Garbutt Moore said he was particularly concerned about the vandalism to the phone box which is under threat.

“It is very disappointing that someone has decided to break the windows in the phone box in Rillington,” he said.

“More so as BT want to remove it. I am fighting to save the phone box and am concerned this might not help our cause in doing so.”

Last September BT launched a consultation on the future of the remaining 54 payphones across Ryedale which they say are being used 90 per cent less than a decade ago.

The company is consulting with Ryedale District Council and the local community.

Cllr Garbutt Moore said he had objected to the removal of the phone boxes.

He said: “I appreciate many people have mobile phones these days, however one of the strongest arguments for keeping phone boxes is that many rural areas still have no or poor phone signal.

“The red phone boxes in particular also compliment the look of our villages.”

Cllr Garbutt Moore said the windows in the phone box have now been replaced, but the fight to save the phone box continues.

“If anyone has anymore information about the damage I would be grateful if they contacted myself or the police,” he added.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “We were contacted at 3.25pm on Thursday, January 2, to a report of criminal damage to a phone box at the junction of Low Moorgate and Westgate in Rillington.

“Glass windows have been broken and the incident has been reported to the local council and for repair.”

Anyone with further information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 12200000933.