Vandals damage community bus

DOZENS of elderly and disabled people could be left without transport today after a vandal threw a stone at an Ipswich community bus and shattered the window.

The minibus, owned by Suffolk ACRE, has now been forced off the road and alternative transport must be sought to transport elderly people and those with learning disabilities around the county.

Graham Webb, assistant community transport coordinator for the charity, was taking one of his drivers on a training exercise when the vandalism happened in Dales Road, Ipswich yesterday.

He said: “We drove past once and we got the finger from this lad but we just ignored it and saw it as small boy bravado. When we came back the so-and-so threw a stone. It shattered the door of the bus and it scared the pants off me.”

Mr Webb said the bus was to be used to take a group of elderly people to a day centre today and, in the worst case scenario, they would now not be able to go.

He added: “It is annoying for me that his selfish actions can lead not just to a loss of money and the inconvenience but the loss of amenity to the passengers.

“A lot of people are potentially losing their transport.”

The vandalism happened in Dales Road, near the junction with Baronsdale Road about 4.30pm yesterday and caused about £300 damage.

The youth who threw the stone is described as 11 to 13-years-old, about 5ft, of slight build, with short fair hair brushed forwards.

He was wearing dark blue tracksuit bottoms or jeans with a dark blue tracksuit top.

He was with an older boy, aged about 16-17, also with fair hair.

The pair was walking two short haired dogs, one of which was dark tan colour and the other light tan.

Anyone with information should call Pc Adam Gibson at the Ipswich Neighbourhood Response Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

What do you think of the youngster's actions? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.