Boys arrested after windows smashed at Somerset coach park

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[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Arrests after windows on multiple vehicles smashed

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Police said heritage vehicles had also been damaged at the coach yard

Two teenagers have been arrested after almost all the windows were smashed on vehicles parked at a storage yard.

Avon and Somerset Police said it was called after the "significant damage" was caused to two minibuses, five single-decker coaches, three double-decker vehicles, and two privately-owned cars at the yard near Midsomer Norton in Somerset.

Staff said five people with their faces covered had been on site when they got there, and a boy in his mid-teens was arrested at the scene before being de-arrested and taken home.

A second boy in his mid-teens was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing criminal damage, and remains in police custody.

Avon and Somerset Police said the first boy will be interviewed in due course but de-arresting him and taking him home had been "necessary".

A further three vintage vehicles were damaged, and will be "very difficult" to repair, police added.

Martin Spiller, managing director of Centurion Travel, said the damage would affect the community as well as his family-run firm.

The company previously operated 28 coaches - 10 of which have been vandalised.

Spiller said the firm now faces costs of "tens of thousands" in repairs and finding replacement vehicles to fulfil its contracts - particularly for schools in Bath and North East Somerset now the Easter break has ended.

(BBC article continues)

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Somerset coach firm back on the road after vandalism attack

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Martin Spiller said he was angry when he first saw the smashed windows

A coach company is back up and running thanks to the help it received from other bus firms after its vehicles were damaged in a vandalism attack.

Avon and Somerset Police were called after "significant damage" - which could cost £100,000 to fix - was caused to minibuses and coaches at a storage yard near Midsomer Norton in Somerset on Tuesday.

Other coach firms stepped in to help, offering to fit new glass to damaged vehicles, and the help has enabled Centurion Travel to be able to fulfil its school contracts "as usual", the company said.

Centurion Travel managing director Martin Spiller said: "All the local coach operators dropped everything... and helped us put glass in."

He said: "Luckily we've got a good bunch down here. There was one member of the public who walked off the street and helped us fit the windows. One lady brought in cakes for the workers. The community has been amazing."

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The company operates 28 coaches - 10 of which were vandalised. Some of them were heritage vehicles.

Police arrested three boys on Tuesday and are asking witnesses to come forward. Two of the boys were later de-arrested and will be interviewed later on, police said. One boy was interviewed and released on conditional bail.

Spiller said: "It makes you feel sad. I'm 65 this year and I can honestly say, I've never been so angry. At the end of the day we work for the public - whether it be private hire or schools."