A MINDLESS yob smashed the windows of three shops in a late-night rampage.

The male karate kicked the windows of Perfectan, The Little Laundrette Company and Perfect Nails and Lashes on Lowesmoor, Worcester, causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Business owners have labelled the act as deplorable vandalism and hope CCTV footage will help police capture the offender.

Mike Cornish, owner of Perfectan, said: “It is so frustrating and totally annoying.

“The vandalism was just mindless and it makes you wonder what on earth the man was thinking.

“I am covered by insurance but will have to pay an excess of about £200 and the premium will probably go up next year.”

Perfect Nails and Lashes owner Nhan Le, whose business has been vandalised three times, was similarly critical of the hooligan.

She said: “It has been a massive inconvenience and we’ve been left out of pocket.

“With the windows boarded up our shop has been quieter than normal but to be honest in this area I expected it.

“A lot of people are drunk, fight and act out of their minds around here.

“I just hope the police catch the man and they make him feel guilty.

“To make a business survive at the moment is very hard and something like this could make a business go under.”

Another shop owner affected, who asked not to be named, rued the offender’s narrow escape from justice.

He said: “The most frustrating thing is that a police van passed the shops just 45-seconds after the incident, so the vandal was almost caught in the act.

“I am flabbergasted by what has happened.

“It looks like the man was inebriated. I don’t mind youngsters going out for a drink, but when they do stupid things like this it is really frustrating.

“If he is caught, I hope he is prosecuted and made to pay for his crime.”

West Mercia Police confirmed the incident happened at 3.35am on Saturday, December 6, and that CCTV footage showed a couple arguing before the male smashed the windows.

Officers’ investigations are on-going and currently no arrests have been made.

Anyone who recognises the male pictured should call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident reference number 203S061214.