Epping Forest
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EPPING FOREST: Vandals target community transport minibus
MINDLESS vandals have attacked a community bus service leaving five vulnerable residents stranded and the charity facing a costly repair bill.
Voluntary Action Epping Forest has run a community bus service since 2001, transporting elderly and disabled passengers around the district.
This is in the face of mounting vandalism attacks stretching back two years and which have led Voluntary Action Epping Forest, which runs the service, to move the buses from a location in Epping to Loughton in the hope it would stop the thugs.
However those hopes were dashed last Thursday (April 24) when driver Neil Knox went to start his morning rounds.
He discovered a brick had been thrown through the back window of the mini-bus.
Mr Knox, an unpaid volunteer said he was "very angry" as he would have to "let his passengers down".
The window had to be replaced, costing the charity £450
A Voluntary Action Epping Forest spokesman said there was also another price to pay for the damage.
She said: "The result of this mindless vandalism is that five Loughton residents who rely on our services were unable to attend their day club. For some this is the only time they get to go out during the week and to meet their friends - the only time they can lead a normal life."
She added: "The cost of replacing the window is a lot for a charity to pay, and we had to let passengers down, which isn't nice."
Previously the bus has had its bonnet ripped off and number plates stolen.
However Voluntary Action Epping Forest has offered a olive branch to the vandals.
A spokesman said: "We wish to say to whoever is responsible why not come and see us at Epping Forest Community Transport and see the good work we do. Maybe they have time on their hands to offer some help to us and members of their community."
For more on volunteering for the community transport programme, ring 01992 654040.
3:13pm Monday 28th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: David, North Weald on 3:56pm Mon 28 Apr 08
Unfortunately unless a more Draconian approach of punishment to all social crimes is applied these types of situations will continue to arise. Trips to summer rehabilitation camps do not work, zero tolerance needs to be applied to all acts of vandalisim and anti-social behaviour, there should be no second chances as there are with the current system of ASBOs, which are used as a badge of honour amoungst this community. I'm not advocating imprisioning offenders for a first offence, but I am suggesting that we are more rigourous in the work they should face under a community service penalty. If offenders do not turn up for said service the alternative should be a very very harsh jail term. Make these people pay back directly to the people they have affected.
Unfortunately unless a more Draconian approach of punishment to all social crimes is applied these types of situations will continue to arise. Trips to summer rehabilitation camps do not work, zero tolerance needs to be applied to all acts of vandalisim and anti-social behaviour, there should be no second chances as there are with the current system of ASBOs, which are used as a badge of honour amoungst this community. I'm not advocating imprisioning offenders for a first offence, but I am suggesting that we are more rigourous in the work they should face under a community service penalty. If offenders do not turn up for said service the alternative should be a very very harsh jail term. Make these people pay back directly to the people they have affected.
Posted by: alistair, chingford on 4:34pm Tue 6 May 08
for a first time offence it should be a custodial sentence for at least of year because of the distress caused by mindless actions
for a first time offence it should be a custodial sentence for at least of year because of the distress caused by mindless actions
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