‘A disgusting and mindless attack on our community...’
Fundraiser helps family-run bus company as ‘evil’ act of vandalism costs £40k.
MORE than £40,000-worth of damage was caused when vandals attacked a Leek bus company depot on Saturday.
Around 15 youngsters entered the yard of Aimees Travel on the Barnfields Industrial Estate, off Newcastle Road late in the afternoon.
Windows on several buses were smashed, including vehicles which are used to transport special needs children to school. Body work on some vehicles was also dented.
Now a Justgiving page has been set up to help the company get back up and running.
Speaking to the Post & Times, director Gary Goldstraw said: “We have estimated that more than £40,000 worth of damage has been caused to our buses.
“Myself and a work colleague saw about 15 teenagers and I immediately rang the police. They were brilliant and rapid in their response, they were in here in minutes. Further cars then kept coming.
“The vandals ran away but I believe that officers did manage to catch some of them.
“My heart sank and I was totally devastated when I saw the damage to our buses. It has been a bad time for coach firms during covid-19 as we could not take trips out or do any private hire, then to have this done to your business is devastating.
“We are insured, but if you claim, your policy doubles next year. A Justgiving page has been set up and people have been brilliant in their support for us. It can cost between £1,200 and £1,500 to replace a bus window.
“Other coach operators have been brilliant too. We have had offers of help from companies in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Stoke.
“Two of our mini buses which were damaged are used to take special needs children to school. People rely on us.”
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: “We were called to a unit on Barnfields Industrial Estate shortly before 5.30pm on March 20 to reports a number of coaches had been damaged following a break-in. “Enquiries are being carried out.” Councillor Mike Bowen, who has the responsibilty for communities at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: “I am horrified and appalled at this disgusting and mindless act of criminality. It is not just an attack on a decent, hardworking, local, business, it is an attack on our community.
“By committing this evil, a valuable community service has been, in effect, halted. Those most severely affected are the elderly, who depend upon these buses for essential trips into the towns, and children with special needs who are now potentially prevented from accessing the educational facilities that they so desperately need.
“I trust that when these objectionable offenders are brought to justice, the authorities will take an equally dim view of their crime and impose the appropriate punishments.”
Meredith Brindley, who works for Aimee’s Travel, has created a Justgiving page which has already raised over £1,100.
She said: “These vehicles are used on a daily basis to transport school children and children with special educational needs and disabilities too and from school. Unfortunately now, we are unable to carry these school runs out as the vehicles are completely destroyed.
“We would never usually resort to a “fundraiser” to help towards repair costs, but a few of you lovely people from our local community have suggested it to us, so we thought it would be worth a shot. We appreciate any donation!
“Lets get these buses running sooner rather than later so we can get back to transporting our local community!”
To donate to the Justgiving page go to www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/aimeestravel.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is being urged to contact Staffordshire Police. They can call 101, send a message on the police’s Facebook page, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 111555.