A CHILD was injured after stumbling over a vandalised shelter at Cumnock Bus Station.

It is understood that the youngster had inadvertently leaned against what should have been a glass panel but fell through a void created by the vandals.

This is not the first time that the transport hub, which is yards from the town’s police station, has been targeted by yobs hell-bent on destruction.

Jacqueline Andrews uses the bus station five, sometimes six, days a week and told the Chronicle about the accident.

She said: “I did not see what had happened but I heard a commotion and what sounded like a child screaming.

“The toddler had went down full force and cracked their head on the ground. At first, other passengers offered to go for help from the medical centre but thankfully there were noserious injuries.

“But it is not the first time there has been vandalism at the bus station. I am not here at night time but I understand that groups of youths sometimes gather — they are not waiting on a bus.

“It must be quite intimidating for people of any age, especially if they are on their own.”

When we visited the bus station last week, the bottom panel is missing from almost every shelter, which is inconvenient to say the least when the weather is harsh, but is also hazardous to vulnerable passengers.

A police spokesman said: “We would urge people to report anti-social behaviour and acts of vandalism by calling us on 101.”

The anti-social behaviour team at East Ayrshire Council are also urging residents to report incidents of vandalism and similar offences.

“We deplore this type of incident and have a zero-tolerance policy on vandalism. Anyone with any information on the damage caused should call the police immediately.”