Hunt for man after specially-adapted vehicles for disabled people torched

Disabled people in Tayside have been left without transport after two vehicles worth more than £9,000 were torched in broad daylight.

The Inclusion Group’s wheelchairaccessible van and car, which were parked outside its offices on Meadowside Lane, were set on fire just before 10am on Saturday.

Police are hunting for a man described as white, aged 35-45, about 5ft 9in, wearing a black Barbour-style jacket, dark hooded top, dark jeans and black shoes, and possibly glasses.

Inclusion Group manager Fiona Flynn said she was “disgusted” by the incident, which has left the group uncertain over the future of some of its activities.

She explained: “The vehicles were used to pick up and drop off service users at events and activities.

“We have had to pay for taxis for service users to attend things like our singing group, and already some of them have had to miss out.

“It is difficult to get specially-adapted vehicles and we don’t know if the insurance company can provide one as a courtesy.

“We had spent a good couple of years fundraising to get our van and car and I’m absolutely disgusted that someone has done this.

“It just leaves you feeling empty inside, especially with Christmas being near and so many events that the service users were looking forward to.

“Many of them are on the autistic spectrum and any change in their plans can be very upsetting for them.”

Fiona added that the insurance valuation for the vehicles is £7,000 for the van and £2,000 for the car.

She said: “The vehicles are unusable. The van disintegrated as it was being taken away and the front of the car is completely melted.

“I don’t know what we will do now – we’ll have to see if the insurance covers these circumstances and if not, it will take another couple of years to raise the money to replace the vehicles.

“We may have to rethink some of our activities as a result.”

Police Scotland have launched an appeal for information.

A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm it is investigating a suspicious fire which caused extensive damage to two vehicles parked in the area between Murraygate, Meadowside and Commercial Street, Dundee, at about 10am on Saturday November 25.”

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to call 101 or speak to any police officer.

The reference number is CR/30852/17.

nvidinova@thecourier.co.uk

Picture: Steve Macdougall. The Inclusion Group’s minibus which was set on fire in Dundee. Manager Fiona Flynn, right, said they will now have to pay for taxis for service users.