Disabled Dagenham charity ‘sickened’ by vandalism

A charity worker said he was “sickened” by vandalism caused to the organisation’s premises during the Town Show weekend.

The Osborne Partnership, a charity helping people with learning disabilities into �employment, may now face potential repair bills of �1,500.

Ian Wall, deputy manager at the charity, said that the premises on Osborne Square, Dagenham, on Monday morning to find that a gardening polytunnel had been slashed with a knife.

The windscreen wipers of a mini bus had also been ripped back and a hosepipe had been tied to the top of the building’s roof.

Mr Wall said: “It’s a completely pointless exercise. They caused a potential �1,500 worth of damage.

“It’s sickening. People know that we’re a charity.”

Last year, vandals smashed the windows of a minibus �belonging to the charity and two years ago, a trailer was stolen.

Borough commander Matt Bell urged anyone with �information about the incident to contact the 101 non emergency police reporting number.

He said: “Although we do not know for certain at this stage that this damage was caused by young people, it seems likely.

“It clearly demonstrates why every year together with our partners we organise �activities to divert young people away from anti social behaviour and crime during the summer months.”