COUNCILLORS are shocked at recent mindless vandalism in Stambridge after a phone box was dragged up the road and a bus stop destroyed.

District and parish councillors fear for the village after recent antisocial behaviour which saw a phone box and shelter badly damaged.

The incident is believed to have happened in the early hours of Thursday morning along Stambridge Road and is understood to have been deliberate vandalism

George Ioannou, chairman of Stambridge Parish Council and district councillor for Roche North and Rural, said: “A phone box was dragged up the road. The bus stop outside Stambridge memorial hall was dismantled.

“This appalling behaviour by individuals is mindless, causing ramifications to the residents of Stambridge.”

Phil Shaw, Stambridge parish councillor, says such vandalism isn’t common in the village and hopes they will catch the culprits.

He said: “We are hoping to look at the CCTV to find out who did it.

“Looking at the damage it looks like someone hooked something round and pulled it.

“It’s like all these things, you don’t expect this sort of this to happen. Not often do we have vandalism reported to this extent.”

Laureen Shaw, Rochford ward councillor for Roche North and Rural, said the destroyed shelter was a danger as it would have meant pedestrians had to walk in the road so ensured it was removed as soon as possible.

She said: “I contacted Rochford District Council and they contacted Essex County Council to see if we could get it moved. It was actually on the pathway. I believe Stambridge road is a very busy road and it would have meant mums would have had to walk in the road on their way to play group.”

The councillor is shocked at the extent of the vandalism and struggling to understand why it happened.

She continued: “It just think it’s wanton vandalism and I don’t understand why they do it.

“There couldn’t have been any pleasure. It couldn’t have been children because it was a metal structure and it was pulled out of the ground.”