MINDLESS yobs destroyed a popular bus shelter overnight.

The vandals targeted the shelter in Northwick Road, Canvey, last Friday, overturning it and leaving it upside down.

The unnecessary damage has caused fury in the community as it left commuters and islanders with no shelter while waiting for the bus.

Angry island residents called for action to catch and punish those responsible.

One said: “If we catch these people who did this, then they should be taught a good lesson.

“I think it also does raise questions about the works that were done to install it in the first place.”

Another angry resident said: “If we catch them, then we should give them the bill and make them pay for the works to reinstall it.

“It is is the only deterrent, like in America.”

Council workers were seen on site yesterday removing the structure from the site of the road.

Island councillors also spoke of their anger at the incident.

Ray Howard, veteran Tory councillor for Canvey West said it is a disgrace.

He said: “This bus shelter serves a very important purpose when elderly people want to go shopping.

“It is a busy bus stop and these people just have nothing else to do but destroy something that’s necessary.

“To do this they must have put some force on the bus stop to turn it over.

“They should be putting that effort into helping out in our community.”

Jay Blissett, fellow Tory councillor, said these people need to understand the damage they have done.

She said: “I can’t see how anyone could do this.

“I cannot understand the mentality of these people - don’t they want a nice place to live?

“We all work hard to keep our area nice and tidy and these people come along and do this.

“I think it is shocking that people would do this - it can’t be kids doing it.

“I am pleased to hear the council got the work done very soon but that is not the point.

“Residents do complain about council tax increases but the council has to spend so much money on things like this.

“It will now cost someone to get this sorted.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said the bus stop was not the authority’s responsibility. Castle Point Council did not respond to a request for a comment.