A CHARITY transport service was unable to take special needs pupils to school yesterday after suffering a devastating act of vandalism.

Phoenix Community Transport, in Penmaen, had 36 tyres on 12 mini-buses slashed overnight yesterday.

The damage, which will cost around £2,000 to repair, left almost half of their fleet off the road.

As a result, those disabled and special needs pupils unable to make alternative travel arrangements had to stay at home for the day. The incident is the latest in a long line of vandalism suffered by the charity over the last five months. They have spent thousands of pounds repairing damage caused by:

Bricks being thrown through windscreens. Airgun pellets fired at their parked mini-buses. Fuel lines being cut. Doors being jemmied open.

In one shocking incident, someone broke into a mini-bus and defecated on the upholstery.

Former Islwyn AM Brian Hancock, who is now the general manager of Phoenix, said: "The mentality of the person or persons responsible really beggars belief.

"It is vindictive and unnecessary. We are a charity, so we haven't got the money to keep repairing this damage.

"The bulk of our work is taking special needs and disabled children to school.

"Nearly half of our fleet is off the road and it is the children who are going to suffer."

He added: "For whatever reason somebody has decided they have got a vendetta against us because I feel we are being persecuted.

"Whoever is responsible for this must be very sick or very nasty."

Don Touhig, Islwyn MP and under-secretary of state for Wales, added: "I know first hand what a tremendous job this organisation does. It is a lifeline for hundreds of disabled people.

"I am appalled by this senseless vandalism. Whoever did this must be brought to justice."

Penmaen councillor Allan Pritchard added: "This is wanton vandalism. The worst impact is on the disabled people and their families who rely on this service."

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said the incident occurred between 8pm and 6.30am.

"This was a mindless act of vandalism and will be fully investigated," she added.

Anyone with information should telephone Gwent Police on 01633 838111.