A GREENOCK cafe boss has slammed youths after an electric shutter was kicked in at his premises.

John Rasmussen, 50, pictured, says he is fed up paying for constant repairs to John’s Joint in Lynedoch Street — and is calling for residents to help find the culprits. The latest vandalism took place on Saturday night, leading to a hefty bill for dismayed John and wife Maureen, who run the cafe.

He said: “They’ve been kicking and knocking hell out of the shutters.

“Because they have kicked and bashed them so much the slats broke, so it came off the runners.

“After Saturday night I had to get the shutters repaired, and that cost £200.

“It’s hard enough in this economic climate to run a business without having to pay for repairs out of any profit.

“I believe it’s kids between the ages of 11 and 15 who are doing it.” Previous incidents include an illuminated LED light beings smashed up at the shop last month.

Police Scotland confirmed that the shutters were broken some time between 9pm on Saturday night and the early hours of Monday morning.

They said officers are now investigating.

John added: “The area is generally okay – we used to be across the street on the main drag and didn’t have any problems.

“But since we moved around the corner it’s been a pain in the neck.

“Over the last four or five weeks we’ve had a lot of vandalism, I’m coming in some mornings to fix the front of the shop.

“I have a five-year lease on the place so will just have to stick it out.

“We get on well with a lot of local residents and hopefully they can keep an eye on the premises.”