A West Lothian community hub has been smashed up by vandals a little over a week before Christmas preventing the volunteers from collecting food donations for those in need.
Polbeth Community Hub discovered the trail of destruction on Thursday morning following reports of bins being set alight the night before.
When building manager Joanne arrived she was horrified to see the scorched grass, melted bins and both windows of the glass pod shattered to hundreds of sharp pieces.
The carpark used by the community centre and local primary school is now closed and the gates must be locked at 3pm each day limiting essential use at the hub.
During the festive season the centre prepares food hampers for those in need and receives donations of surplus food from local Marks and Spencers stores.
This has also been drawn to a holt as the centre is unable to put their volunteers at risk due to the rise in anti-social behaviour which will have knock on effects to the families most in need this Christmas.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live Joanne Thompson said: “On Wednesday night the volunteers where in collecting the surplus food and had been in contact to let us know some teens had set fire to the bins outside but when I arrived on Thursday morning I was devastated to see the centre was all smashed up.
“Both large windows were smashed in and glass shards were all over the decking.
“Luckily we are still able to work from the centre, we put together 80 festive food hampers for families in preparation as we weren’t sure what would happen if the schools were to close.
“Now we are having to shut the car parks used by us and the local primary schools so families aren’t able to come and pick up the food packages.
“The bins have been going missing for weeks and food left in the centre was thrown about by those who smashed the windows.
“There is plenty of CCTV footage so that will be passed onto the police when we speak to them.
“It’s so disheartening, we try to help people and this is all the thanks we get.”
The centre have reported the abhorrent incident to the police and a local window company are going to replace the windows at no extra cost but the destruction will still disrupt families from getting the help they need overcoming weeks.
Locals were horrified at the reckless behaviour.
Linda Mitchell exclaimed: "Absolutely disgusting, no respect for our community and after all the hard work the hub do for the community , hopefully you get who did this."
Leanne Livingstone said: "That's disgusting how can people be so sick hope they get caught."
Teri-Louise Wallbanks added: "I’m really sorry to see this happen! I really hope you catch and name and shame who done this to your lovely wee summerhouse!"
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
