Council appeals for information after senseless vandalism of school minibuses

Wiltshire Council is appealing for anyone with information on the vandalism of school minibuses in Trowbridge over the weekend to come forward.

The minibuses, which are used to transport children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to and from school, were parked at Silverwood School on Ashton Street in Trowbridge. Of the eight minibuses parked on site, seven had their windscreens damaged over the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: This is a senseless act of vandalism that will make it very difficult for some pupils with SEND to get to and from school over the coming days - and some children may not be able to attend school at all.

Seven vehicles have been damaged so that the driver's side of the windscreens are significantly cracked, making it too dangerous for our teams to attempt to drive them.

We are doing all we can to provide alternative transport for these pupils as quickly as possible, and we are working with Silverwood School to ensure parents are kept informed as we make alternative travel arrangements. We are also working hard to get all the damage to the minibuses fixed, so that we can get them back on the road as soon as we can.

If anyone has any information about this vandalism, I would urge them to report this online to Wiltshire Police using the crime reference number 54230106852, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.

We want to ensure that pupils with SEND can feel safe, relaxed and ready to start their school day - and this mindless act will not distract us from this mission.

To report online to Wiltshire Police, people should go to: www.wiltshire.police.uk (opens new window).