• UPDATE: A male in a grey tracksuit wearing a headtorch was seen beside the vehicle at 2.05am on Thursday, July 3.

If you saw the person, or have CCTV, please get in touch with the police using the 101 number. The crime reference is 50250170773.

A CHARITY which provides accessible community transport for people of all ages and abilities has been left “stunned” after considerable damage to one of its accessible minibuses overnight last night, Thursday and Friday, July 3 and 4.

The Mercedes Sprinter 513 Bluetec has had three tyres stabbed and a substance, believed to be brake fluid, poured over the tail lift, front and side of the minibus.

It is estimated that hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been caused.

The accessible minibus parked in Commonmarsh Lane, Crediton, which has had three tyres stabbed. AQ 5741
The accessible minibus parked in Commonmarsh Lane, Crediton, which has had three tyres stabbed. AQ 5741 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The minibus was parked at its usual parking location, near Graphic plc at the end of Commonmarsh Lane on the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

Sarah Holmes, the Transport Co-Ordinator for the Crediton office of Mid Devon Mobility, formerly Crediton Community Transport, said she was “absolutely stunned” after the damage.

She said: “Our driver went to prepare the minibus at about 7am this morning (Friday, July 4) to move the seating to accommodate some wheelchairs for a care home outing today. That was when he found the damage which has been caused overnight.

“Three tyres have been stabbed and brake fluid poured over it.

“By using other transport we have been able to find enough vehicles for the care home outing so that can fortunately go ahead.

“Sadly the tyre company can’t get there today and we will have to get the bus cleaned.

“It is an additional cost that we will have to bear. We can’t claim any insurance for the damage.

A close up of one of the stabbed tyres on the Mid Devon Mobility minibus. AQ 5736
A close up of one of the stabbed tyres on the Mid Devon Mobility minibus. AQ 5736 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

“It is the people of Crediton, the elderly and vulnerable who will suffer as we have to find these costs and it will restrict our services for a while.”

Sarah said that she hopes that the person or persons who caused the damage will be caught on the Graphic plc CCTV or other business CCTV on the industrial estate.

She said that a few years ago when one of the charity buses parked nearby was badly damaged after a hit-and-run, local CCTV was used by the charity insurance company to trace the person who did it.

She appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the police using the 101 number. The crime reference is 50250170773 of July 4.

Alternatively, please contact Sarah on 01363 773303 or email: [email protected] .

The Ring and Ride service is partially funded by Devon County and Mid Devon Councils and a number of local parish councils and charities, grants and in the past, the National Lottery. The remainder is funded through fares and donations.

The charity has long sought a safer and accessible parking location for its vehicles in Crediton.