Taxi driver Phil McDonald, who represents Woodlands ward, had left his white Renault Laguna parked outside St Joseph's Church in Green Lane – just 500 yards from his home in Endcliff Crescent.

Cllr McDonald has spoken out about anti-social behaviour in the area and thinks youths may be to blame for the attack, which happened between 10pm on Monday and 6am on Tuesday.

Cllr McDonald said: "A local resident noticed the damage and phoned to tell me. They also said they had noticed a large number of youths outside on the roadway about 10pm the night before. Parents will know if their children were out at this time of night and may have been responsible."

Cllr McDonald has spoken about the incident to headteachers at schools including Barrowcliff Juniors, Scalby, Graham and Raincliffe, who have promised to raise the issue in school assemblies.

He said he felt "saddened" and "disappointed" at the attack but vowed that his business, Seaside Taxis, would not be affected as a replacement vehicle has already been found.

He added: "As someone who comes from a family of 10 and was raised in the 1950s, I know what it's like to have nothing. I have worked hard like many other youths of this time – we never did this sort of thing."

l Do you have any information about this incident? Contact the Evening News on (01723) 383817 or Scarborough Police on 0845 6060247.