POLICE have apologised following confusion over a vandalism at bus shelters in Bradwell. It follows complaints by parish clerk Jeremy Caborn, who could not understand why two incidents he reported in which fist-sized holes had been left in two shelters, had not been given crime numbers.

POLICE have apologised following confusion over a vandalism at bus shelters in Bradwell.

It follows complaints by parish clerk Jeremy Caborn, who could not understand why two incidents he reported in which fist-sized holes had been left in two shelters, had not been given crime numbers.

The happened in mid January at shelters on Beccles Road and Lords Lane.

However, Sgt Mark Pack of the local policing team explained to the Mercury there had been confusion over the vandalism on Beccles Road.

He said: “There was a misinterpretation over the site, and the officer looking into the incident believed the owner of the bus shelter was First Bus, who had not notified us. Where there is no victim there is no crime, but it's now plain the owner of the bus shelter is the parish council and I would like to apologise. It was a misunderstanding.”

Sgt Pack looked into the issue after the matter was brought up at a recent parish council meeting, and having discovered the mistake has now given the incident a crime number - meaning it can be investigated.

However, he said the vandalism on the bus shelter at Lords Lane was indeed being looked into, and that confusion over this matter could have arisen because of new rules about crime numbers.

Bradwell has seen a recent increase in attacks on bus shelters after a lull in recent years, leaving the parish council having to foot the bill for replacement panels and windows.