Wirral mobile COVID-19 testing bus windows smashed by vandals

Merseyside Police is appealing for witnesses after criminal damage was caused to a mobile COVID-19 testing bus in Wirral.

Police were contacted at 2.05pm yesterday, Thursday 13 May, following reports a gang of youths had smashed the windows of the Wirral council-owned bus, which had been delivering home COVID-19 tests.

The bus was on Beechwood Drive on the Beechwood Estate when the incident occurred.

Three youths on a white, black and scooter, believed to be aged between 14 and 18, and wearing dark clothing and balaclavas are believed to have used a golf club to smash a number of windows.

Nobody was injured but people on the bus were left badly shaken.

The scooter is believed to have made off in the direction of Fender Way.

An investigation is underway and enquiries are being carried out in the local area.

High visibility patrols have also been stepped up in the area.

Wirral Community policing Inspector Tom Welch said, “This was a mindless attack on a vehicle that was delivering important home Covid tests to people in the Wirral. Thankfully nobody was injured but these youths had scant regard for anyone’s safety.

 “This happened in the middle of the day and I am sure there are people who were out walking or driving who saw this incident or saw the scooter riding off and know where it went or who the riders were.

“Please come forward and tell us what you know so we can find the people responsible and prevent them doing something like this again.”

Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Janette Williamson said, “I was shocked when I was told one of our testing vehicles had been attacked.

“This mindless act of violence is beyond comprehension. There was significant damage caused to the vehicle and the staff were badly shaken but thankfully no-one was injured.

“I would like to thank the team for the way they dealt with this incident. They are critical to our COVID-19 response and are on the frontline, helping to keep residents safe. Their personal safety should never be under threat.”

Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Janette Williamson said, “I was shocked and disgusted when I was told one of our testing vehicles had been attacked. This mindless act of violence is beyond comprehension. There was significant damage caused to the vehicle and the staff were badly shaken but thankfully no-one was injured. I would like to thank the team for the way they dealt with this incident. They are critical to our COVID-19 response and are on the frontline, helping to keep residents safe. Their personal safety should never be under threat.”

The bus was set to visit Wallasey Town Hall on Thursday afternoon to carry out testing and hand out symptom-free kits to the local community. It was also due to visit The Green Hut, Leasowe, on Friday daytime. That has been cancelled because of this damage. We do still have two other testing vehicles operating as well as the symptom-free testing centres at Floral Pavilion and the former House of Fraser building in Birkenhead.

A Wirral Council spokesperson said, “We may well have to change our mobile testing schedule this week because we have lost our third vehicle for a while now. We don’t have the changes confirmed yet.”

Whilst the changes are yet to be confirmed, you can check the latest schedule here .

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 510 of 13 May.

Image: GOOGLE