A gang of yobs caused devastation to a fleet of coaches when they used minibuses as battering rams during an hour-long wrecking spree.

The youths wrote off a minibus and caused £30,000 of damage to ten coaches and double-decker buses - more than half the fleet at Stephensons of Essex, in Rochford.

Clean-up - the damage to one of the coaches Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Bosses said they couldn't believe their eyes when they watched the CCTV footage which captured the youths using two minibuses, which they had managed to start up, to smash down gates, trees and collide with other vehicles at the Riverside Industrial Estate.

Finance director Lyn Watson said: "A gang of about five climbed over a six feet high fence to get into the premises. About £30,000 worth of damage was caused to vehicles including the open top buses which we are getting ready for the Southend seafront service - this has put that service in jeopardy."

Despite the devastation caused at 5.30pm on Sunday, the firm still managed to provide a daily express service to London along with several school services.

Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003

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