Thugs target Dorset food charity with attacks on vans

This is the stark warning from the Dorset-based food charity Hope for Food after both their delivery van and community meal van were taken off the road. 

Both incidents, which happened last week, have damaged the charity’s two vans so much that it could cost £2,500 to repair. 

On Wednesday, one of the van’s AdBlue tank was vandalised and had to be taken in for repairs costing £1,200. 

Thugs targeting the charity's van were caught on CCTV (Image: Daily Echo)

(Image: Daily Echo)

And then on Friday night, thugs drilled into the van’s fuel tank causing diesel to leak, rendering the vehicle unusable. 

Charity trustee and operations manager Mary Duncan said the spate of thefts and attacks on the charity is “frustrating” because people in need are suffering. 

“Everybody here is a volunteer, nobody is paid, we rely on donations and this has stopped us on two occasions from delivering food to people,” the 73-year-old said. 

“We couldn’t provide the fresh food to families in our van and although we can do the soup kitchen, it will be on a reduced service. 

“The financial impact is huge: it could cost us up to £2,500 and that money that is now being used to repair the vehicles could have fed 150 families for a week.” 

Mary Duncan, 73, said she is 'frustrated' at the crimes on the charity (Image: Daily Echo)

The charity has been helped by other businesses in the industrial unit including HP Transport, who repaired one of the vans. 

Another neighbour who had CCTV installed on the car park told the “masked and hooded” thugs to go away when, but his pleas were ignored. 

Police were also called to the most recent attack, but the volunteer Eddie Duncan said he was told by officers that they are unable to investigate the crimes. 

He said: “The police said they can’t help even though we have CCTV footage, food has gone and the registration plate of the vehicles. 

“But they say that because the act of theft wasn’t captured on camera, they can’t investigate it further. 

“We feel absolutely helpless, there is nothing we can do to stop them.” 

Damage to one of the vans after the fuel tank was drilled (Image: Daily Echo)

He added: “If these people are poor and are in need of help or food, we would provide them with it. Damaging our vans or stealing from the donation bin is not the way to go about it.” 

A Dorset Police spokesman said on July 20, when the fuel tank was damaged, officers searched for the culprits but they had fled the scene.

"We are carrying out an investigation into this incident and will explore all available lines of enquiry," he added.

And he said that on May 17, food had been stolen from the donation bin and officers carried out enquiries, including looking at CCTV, but were unable to identify the offenders and so the investigation has concluded.

"As with any investigation, should any further information come to light, it will be investigated appropriately," he said.

The spokesman added: "We take are committed to supporting our local businesses and charities that provide important services to our communities and we will explore all available lines of enquiry to investigate reports of this nature and identify offenders where possible."