Published: 16/10/2008 00:00 - Updated: 16/10/2008 15:35

Staff at blind centre slam vandals

By James Burton

STAFF at an Uttlesford charity for the blind have hit out at "mindless" thugs who vandalised their Saffron Walden centre yesterday (Wednesday October 15).

Support 4 Sight, which is based in George Street and provides services to residents throughout the district, had to turn people away after the yobs hurled a large plant pot through its window.

Thick plate glass was shattered in the attack, which also damaged equipment inside the property. The centre was forced to close while devastated workers cleared up the mess and contacted users to reschedule their appointments.

Last summer, Support 4 Sight expanded its boundaries to cover all of Uttlesford and changed its name from the original Saffron Sight. It offers services and advice to blind and partially-sighted residents as well as providing social activities.

Resource centre and volunteer manager Paul Atkins said: "It just beggars belief what goes through the minds of these people. I hope the people who did this never have to use the services we provide."