Police have called for any footage or information of vandals who damaged four bus stops in Exmouth, in a one-night spate of anti-social behaviour.
Pictures of smashed glass appeared on community Facebook pages after the incidents, which happened on Exmouth’s Salterton Road and Rolle Street.
Police believe the damage took place between 8:30pm and midnight on Monday 8 September and have asked residents for any footage or information that might help them to identify the perpetrators.
Councillor Dan Wilson, an independent member of East Devon District Council who represents Exmouth, said it wasn’t yet certain who had caused the damage, but that if young people were to blame, he felt the wider community had questions to ask of themselves.
“At this point, I don’t think we know it was kids that vandalised the bus shelters, I think that is just assumed, but I haven’t heard any eye witness accounts
“If it was kids, the norm is to blame parents, schools, lack of police and of course the youths themselves.
“That’s all well and good but we never criticise the level of investment in youth projects.”
He added that initiatives such as The Hive, in Exmouth, do “great work” but there “just aren’t enough accessible youth projects for kids to get involved in”.
“I’m not making excuses for kids vandalising, but if kids don’t have anywhere to go or anything to do, they’re likely to fall into mischief,” he said.
“We don’t invest anywhere near enough money in youth clubs, centres, activities etc but then as soon as kids misbehave, we’re furious. We can’t have it both ways.”
A Devon County Council spokesperson said: “We’re extremely disappointed that these bus shelters have been damaged and we’re working closely with Fernbank, who own the shelters in Salterton Road, to assess the damage.
“Until we’ve completed this work, we do not know the costs or timescale of repairs. But all partners will aim to carry out the work as soon as possible.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said they had “been made aware of four bus shelters being smashed in Salterton Road and Rolle Street” on Monday 8 September.
“It is believed the damage was caused between 8.30pm and midnight,” a spokesperson said.
“Enquires are ongoing. Anybody with any information or relevant footage is asked to contact us on 101 or via our website quoting 50250234540.”
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