The two men who caused £2,000 worth of damage to a community mini-bus have been branded as 'thugs' by distraught charity workers.

Eastern Daily Press: Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT.Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT. (Image: Archant)

On Monday, February 4, the men were caught on CCTV breaking into BACT Community Transport's Bungay base in Hillside Road East.

Between 1.33am and 1.43am the vandals split the fuel tank of one bus - taking it out of action for the foreseeable future.

BACT uses five buses to serve elderly and vulnerable people across Waveney and South Norfolk.

Eastern Daily Press: Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT.Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT. (Image: Archant)

Two of the buses are usually used for Lowestoft but with the loss of one vehicle the knock-on impact for those in need could be devastating.

Manager Debbie Blowers said: 'We couldn't believe it. I can't understand – why are people doing this to us?

'At the end of the day we work so hard to produce this service with so many volunteers and so little money – it has such a demoralising effect on us.

Eastern Daily Press: Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT.Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT. (Image: Archant)

'There are so many people who are isolated in our community – this is like a social club on wheels.

'It's just mindless vandalism.'

She added: 'This is the second time in two years that we have had vehicles vandalised.

Eastern Daily Press: Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT.Vandals caused £2,000 worth of damage to the community bus. Photo: BACT. (Image: Archant)

'Facing financial cuts each year, we have to raise even more funds to keep current services running and getting elderly and vulnerable passengers moving around Waveney and South Norfolk.

'Some of our passengers have had their transport cancelled and schedules changed as journeys are rearranged as much as possible over the coming weeks.

The damage will also see an increase in insurance costs in the future, at a time when BACT are facing cuts with budgets from local authorities.

Mrs Blowers added: 'This is another blow for the organisation which is so disheartening.'

This latest attack comes just weeks after a BACT volunteer was left 'heartbroken' when his car, which was given to him by an elderly woman he helped, was damaged by vandals in Lowestoft. The 74-year-old's car was keyed and the left side wing mirror ripped off.

Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 37/7100/19.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously in 0800 555 111.