Be The Change Bolton youth group's minibus vandalised

Be The Change youth group in Bolton is currently undergoing building work for their new centre on Deane Church Lane.

But just over a week ago, the on-site minibus which is used to transport the young people to their activities, has been vandalised.

The bus has had its windows and window frames smashed and is now unable to be used.

Daniel Sukula, the group’s founder, found out about the vandalism on Saturday, April 6.

He said: “It could have happened overnight as I did not go there since the Thursday and went on the Saturday, and I saw the bus smashed up.

“They smashed all the windows and window frames and the van was unlocked when we found it.

“I was disappointed and angry at the same time as we’re trying to do things for the community and people go and do that.”

The group only got the bus back recently after it had an electrical fault.

Daniel said: “Right now, we cannot take the young people on trips or to activities and cannot even get the kids to the game and have to use public transport or use local people to help.

“The young people are being impacted by it as we cannot use it now for its intended purpose and we are doing a lot, and so you do not expect for things like that to happen, so that is the frustrating part.

“There are a lot of kids that come to our youth club and transport is a problem for them, that’s why we got the bus in the first place.”

Be The Change cannot currently afford to repair the bus as the new build is currently underway.

Daniel said: “Our focus is to get the building going so we do not have the funds to repair the bus.

“The kids were not happy either and it made things a lot harder for them as they wanted to go away on trips, and they are not able to.

“And now they have to walk even further to get to us.”

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The youth group informed Greater Manchester Police about the incident and now Daniel feels that CCTV in the area is needed.

Daniel added: “That area is very deprived, and I will send an email to propose for a camera in that area as it is terrible and with us putting a youth centre there. We want it to be safe for them.

“Speaking to local people they say that things are normal like this in the area.”

If you have any information about the vandalism contact police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.