CARLISLE: Vandal attack on bus

Vandal attack on bus

Wrecked: The scout bus after the vandal attack

VANDALS have made their last attack on the Wigton Scouts bus, in a wrecking spree which has finally sent it to the scrap yard.

The bus has long been a target for vandalism – last year local people donated £540 to get it back on the road after the Scouts were left with a £1,000 repair bill.

This time the distinctive green vehicle has been so badly damaged it is not worth repairing – despite being kept in a locked compound in Western Bank industrial estate.

Almost every window on the bus was smashed when vandals broke into the compound over the bank holiday weekend.

Group Leader Julie Bryceson said: “I am absolutely gutted. I’ve been Scouting for over 30 years but really feel like packing it all in.

“This has been a terrible year for our group – early in March we lost the use of the community centre and have had no meeting place. The building still can’t be used so we’re still homeless, and now we’ve lost the use of our minibus as well. Nothing was stolen, it was just mindless vandalism.

“This year we should be celebrating 100 years of Scouting, but apart from a centenary camp which was fantastic, it has been awful.”

The bus was only insured third party, because the cost of fully comprehensive insurance, along with the excess if a claim was made, far outweighed the bus’s value. Replacing the large windows, including the front and rear windscreens, would be far too expensive for the Scouts, so now the bus will be scrapped.

The group relies on the vehicle to take them to events across the north of England. In the next few weeks the Cubs should be attending an adventure day in the north east, the Scouts have a challenge hike camp over in County Durham, there is a Sixer’s tea at Consett and an autumn camp at Westgate, past Alston.

Now it seems the children will have to miss out on all these events. Mrs Bryceson said: “The bus was badly vandalised about 18 months ago, while it was parked behind a local church. People in Wigton were wonderful, really showed their generosity; we even received donations from groups like Age Concern.

“Since then, we have stored it in a locked compound and have had no problems. Now it seems that nowhere is safe.”

Organisations who clubbed together also included Westward Luncheon Club, the Evangelical Church and Stagecoach in Carlisle, with Alan Fell’s garage assisting with some of the repairs.

A Land Rover and a transit van also had their windows smashed when the compound was broken into.

Anyone with information on these incidents, which were reported to police at 8am on Sunday, August 26, should call police on 0845 3300247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=540263