An electric car used by volunteers to take people to urgent medical appointments has been put out of action for a second time by vandalism.

The charging point for the Nissan Leaf used by Watchet Coastal Community Team has been badly damaged.

The unit, which is also used to power the town council’s wheelchair accessible vehicle, known as EVIE, is at the Harbour Community Bookshop on the Esplanade at the seafront.

The team says the equipment was violently attacked on Saturday, December 3, and put out of action for the second time this year. It had to be replaced after the earlier incident.

The charger junction box was smashed, leaving exposed wires which created a risk to the attacker and the public. A local electrician worked for free to give advice and make the unit safe.

The charging point is funded by the county council in partnership with Sampford Brett and Bicknoller parish councils.

The car is used by volunteer drivers to take people from the homes to appointments including Covid and flu vaccinations and then back home.

The Community Team said in a statement: “Someone has deliberately targeted a community asset and caused a big inconvenience for the magnificent volunteer drivers who keep the service running for local residents. We are at a loss to understand who the attacker thought they were targeting.”

Damage to the charging unit before it was made safe
Damage to the charging unit before it was made safe (Watchet Costal Community Team)

Community Car Coordinator Donna Stevens said: “It saddens us that someone would want to attack the car like this. It’s fast become an invaluable service to the community and for many their only form of transport.

“This includes vital medical appointments, operations, and meetings with groups such as Dementia Alliance, Mind and the Phoenix Club. Without it, many would struggle to get to where they need to go.

“For some, it is their only form of human contact, and I can’t begin to imagine how hard that must be. So, if anyone has any information, please come forward. And I hope for the sake of our members and volunteer drivers that this doesn’t happen again.”

Anyone with information about who damaged the charging point was asked to contact the police on the 111 phone number quoting crime number 5222291477.