Vandals callously smashed the windows on a minibus used to help isolated elderly people get out and about.  

Now the company which runs the much-needed public service is appealing for a safe place to park its two vehicles overnight.

The Getting Together service at Watford and Three Rivers Trust provides activities for older people across south west Hertfordshire.

“It’s a social and wellbeing club. We focus on those who are hard to reach or who don’t get out much. We take them out for morning exercises, lunch and then something fun in the afternoon,” said service manager Vanessa Wright.

“I came out in the morning and found the windows down one side smashed. They’ve done it just for the hell of it. It’s put it out of action for a while.

“You try to do good things and then this happens. It’s so disheartening and upsetting for everyone.”

Watford Observer:

The two buses are parked outside the Holywell Community Centre on Chaffinch Lane overnight. The car park is monitored by CCTV cameras, however this is rendered useless when the car park lights go off at 10pm.

No projectiles were found inside the minibus, suggesting it was brazenly attacked up close rather than being pelted with missiles from a distance.

She added: “This is not the first time the buses have been targeted – we had one damaged about a year ago.

“We are looking for a safe space which is more secure than what we’ve got at the moment. We would love to speak to any local businesses that have a secure space we could park at night.”