Bus smashed in Southwater

A minibus driver who had bricks thrown at her bus after she drove into a ‘trap’ on her way home in Southwater has branded the culprit a ‘twisted individual’ who was ‘looking to hurt people’ .

A wave of public support has gone out to a Southwater businesswoman after she was ambushed by brickthrowing youths in an early morning attack.

Terri Rayner, who runs transport company Middle Earth Minibus, was on her way home from dropping off a passenger at around 2am on Saturday when the attack happened near The Lintot.

“As I approached the traffic lights by The Lintot I noticed a traffic cone had been placed blocking the way through,” she said. “I was going to move the cone, but something didn’t seem right and I only live five minutes away so decided to drive on.

“Then there was a really loud noise, like an explosion.”

When she got home she discovered a side window of the minibus had been completely smashed. “I got back in my car and drove back to where it happened because I thought I might have hit a sign or something,” said Terri. “But when I got there I saw bricks in the road and glass - and then bricks were thrown at my car.

“I pulled over and phoned the police. It was horrific really. Whoever did this is a sick twisted individual, to set up a trap and throw bricks at a vehicle, they are clearly looking to hurt people.”

But, said Terri, “the police were exceptional. They were there in minutes. They did a thorough search of the area and later phoned me to let me know they were there. They were great.”

Now the community has also rallied behind Terri and the community group Visit Horsham has set up a fundraising appeal to pay for repairs to Terri’s minibus.

Meanwhile, Horsham Police put out a statement on social media. They said: “We are taking action on anti-social behaviour in Southwater, which caused some local people particular concern over the past two nights, (Friday and Saturday, 11 and 12 September).

“A dispersal order giving us power to require suspected trouble makers to leave the area is now in force.

“There will be extra police in the area to enforce that order if necessary and to reassure local people.”

The village has been hit by a spate of anti social activity over the past few months. Local residents are demanding police adopt stronger tactics and parish councillors are seeking further meetings with senior police officers.

Earlier this year in unrelated incidents, a man was stabbed in the village and a swan was shot dead at Southwater Country Park.

There have also been ongoing incidents of youths intimidating people at local shops.