Disability van hit by vandals in Weymouth (From Dorset Echo)

Disability van hit by vandals in Weymouth

12:00pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News By Rachel Stretton

VANDALS have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a van adapted for use by disabled people in an “abhorrent” attack in Weymouth.

The van, a Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life, used by Access Dorset was vandalised while it was parked in Chesil View, Wyke Regis.

Charity member and volunteer Bob Biddiss had the van in preparation to take his wife Karen and other disabled members to an event in Bourne-mouth.

He said: “We had to cancel that.

“I am so angry. This van is a lifeline for disabled people who would otherwise struggle to get out of their homes.”

Mechanics estimate the damage caused will cost £2,000 to repair.

Vandals smashed a window and wing mirror, and one door was badly scratched.

And it is claimed the van may have been deliberately targeted because of its disabled sticker.

Mr Biddiss, 46, added: “No other vehicles in the whole street were damaged.

“The van is clearly marked as an adapted vehicle with a disabled sticker. It makes you wonder if it was targeted.”

Jonathan Waddington Jones, chief executive of Access Dorset, said: “The car had been loaned to a disabled lady to enable her and her husband to take other members on a trip to Bournemouth. They were incredibly distressed and shaken by the att-ack. This causes massive disruption and means a number of forthcoming trips will have to be cancelled.”

He added: “Sadly, crime against disabled people is all too common. In the past our members have been spat at, assaulted and verbally abused.”

The van belongs to the Breeze Volkswagen Centre in Poole, and has been donated to Access Dorset for use by its members for six months.

The charity works to help some of the 45,000 disabled people in Dorset to become more independent.

Paul O’Brien, commercial vehicle head of business at the centre, said: “We are striving to support local charities, which help the community, and this kind of attack is devastating.

“It is abhorrent.” Mr Biddiss, a full-time carer for his wife, warned that disability is something that could happen to anyone. He said: “One day, whoever vandalised the van may be in a position where they need help to get around.

“How would they feel if that was taken away from them?”