Vandals in £30k wrecking spree at depot

VANDALS carried out a £30,000 wrecking spree at a council depot that left three vehicles ablaze and nine others with smashed windows.

The attack was carried out at the cleansing and transport depot in Stobhill Road, Gorebridge, in the early hours of yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 1am and found a Ford Transit van on fire at the recycling site. The flames had spread to two nearby vehicles.

A hammer was used to smash the windows of several vehicles.

The vehicles were being used to carry out kitchen replacement work for council tenants and duties for social services.

But Midlothian Council chiefs today said the damage would "not significantly" disrupt services as other vehicles were available.

Councillor Wilma Chalmers, the council's commercial services leader, said: "This was a disgraceful act which could have had an impact on vulnerable people if we did not have a contingency plan."

Community Inspector John McGill appealed for witnesses to come forward.