Trowbridge minibus vandalism a 'mindless attack, say parents

Parents described the vandalism as "mindless"

The vandalism of minibuses used to take children with special educational needs to school was a "mindless and pointless attack", parents have said.

Repairs are taking place to fix seven vehicles which had their windscreens smashed at Silverwood School in Trowbridge over the weekend.

Some children have not been able to come into school as a result of the vandalism, the school said.

The school's head of learning said they are "incredibly upset".

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, one parent said: "It's disgusting really, how can you think of doing something like that?

"The disruption it causes to families that already have disrupted lives, just the mindlessness of it is pretty shocking really."

'Disgusting'

Another added: "It is life changing, life-altering, these children depend on this transport. It is just senseless, mindless."

Families who have managed to arrange alternative transport for their children to get to school said they found it financially challenging.

A mother from Warminster, who has three other children to also get to school, said: "It's been a nightmare to get here and the cost as well, it is awful.

"It is just stupid, it's disgusting, I just don't understand, it baffles me."

Siobhan Cheadle is the head of learning at Silverwood School

Silverwood is a school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), aged four to 19 years old.

Head of learning, Siobhan Cheadle, said: "We are incredibly upset, our children have been targeted. It is just really pointless and thoughtless.

"We have children now who can't come into school because parents don't have access to transport.

"The change in routine at the beginning of the day has a significant impact on the children, they have very complex needs."

Councillor Caroline Thomas said the damage was a "senseless act of vandalism"

Wiltshire Council said it has informed Wiltshire Police about the incident.

Councillor Caroline Thompson, cabinet member for transport, added that there is "no price to disrupting vulnerable youngsters who need to feel safe".

She added: "The good news is three of them have been repaired so they are back on the road tomorrow, the others we are still trying to sort and its costing thousands in repairs.

"If anyone has any information about this vandalism, I would urge them to report this to police."

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