'Lifeline' ice cream van destroyed by vandals

Michelle Roach of New Beginnings, Improving Lives, said the van has been vandalised four times in less than a month

The owner of an ice cream van that provides discounted food to people in need has spoken of her heartbreak after the vehicle was left unusable by vandals.

Michelle Roach, the founder of Anfield-based community interest company New Beginnings, Improving Lives, said the van had to be scrapped after it was targeted four times in less than a month.

She said: "It's heart-breaking, it's really sad. I don't believe that people that have done it understand the consequences."

"We've had it for three years, it's helped over 41,000 people and has been a lifeline to so many families and people in Liverpool."

The company converted the former ice cream van into a 'pantry on wheels'

The van is driven around Merseyside, with surplus food from supermarkets and donations sold to customers at low prices.

The company, which also runs a community shop, emergency food bank and mental health support groups from its base on Rocky Road, bought the 30-year-old van three years ago and converted it into a "pantry on wheels."

"Everyone thought we were bonkers when we bought it, but when we got it out on the street everyone thought it was the most amazing thing ever," Ms Roach said.

"It didn't harm anyone's dignity, it was a really respectable service. We wanted to move away from dated church halls and give people access to a service that is approachable and comfortable."

Ms Roach said the van's windows were first smashed on 20 October before the vehicle was damaged again by groups of children in November.

The company has CCTV images of people smashing the van's windows

Ms Roach said after that people were able to get in the van and caused "catastrophic" damage that would cost more to repair than buying a replacement.

"I don't understand what they got out of it, we're just trying to help people," she said.

"I'm a very resilient person but it's hard to think positively when such a negative thing has happened and kept happening.

"I just feel so bad for the people who are going to miss out. Families are so reliant on being able to budget their money around using that service."

Mrs Roach reported the damage to Merseyside Police who said they are "determined to find those responsible".

"This van clearly plays an important role in supporting vulnerable people in our community, so for it to be targeted and damaged is utterly appalling," Inspector Chris Taylor said.

"I'm sure the local community in Anfield will share our shock and we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward."