A Perth charity has issued a stark warning to vandals: “Abuse us and you’ll lose us.” Letham4All was left “incredibly disappointed” after a weekend of vandalism and antisocial behaviour that saw a bench worth £500 broken, planters destroyed, a minibus egged, and staff verbally abused.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on Sunday evening, just one day after the charity’s successful summer barbecue, which attracted around 500 people. Around half a dozen youngsters were responsible for the damage and abuse. The charity reported that the group broke a bench valued at £500, destroyed planters, damaged lighting, egged the minibus, and hurled abuse at staff members.
Letham4All chairperson Suzie Burt expressed the charity’s dismay: “We’re just absolutely gutted. We had a fabulous event on Saturday. We had 500 people out there, having a great time.” But the following night, a small group of young people caused “fear and alarm” when they shouted abuse at staff and caused criminal damage.
Impact on Staff and Operations
The charity emphasised that while the financial cost of repairing the damage is frustrating, the toll on staff mental wellbeing is far more severe. Suzie Burt noted: “We’ve had antisocial behaviour before with children coming into the hub on scooters, being incredibly abusive to staff and running around the building but it’s the first time we’ve had criminal damage. We can fix things but it’s the damage this has done to the morale of our staff.”
Some staff members have walked out, unable to tolerate the abuse any longer. Suzie warned: “Abuse us and you’ll lose us. Staff have told us they cannot put up with the abuse they get, unfortunately.” The charity stressed that the actions are from a “tiny minority” ruining it for the wider “brilliant” community.
Community Support and Reaction
Letham4All shared the incident on Facebook, stating that “far too many staff members report abuse from adults and young people” and reiterating its zero-tolerance policy. The community responded overwhelmingly in support, slamming the vandalism as “disgusting,” “shocking,” and “irresponsible,” while praising the hub as “brilliant,” “incredible,” and “amazing.”
Suzie Burt said: “We’ve been blown away by the support. It’s heartening to see that people are with us.” Local Perth City North councillors also condemned the incident. SNP councillor Ian Massie called the behaviour “completely unacceptable” and urged parents to speak to young people about respecting community spaces. Fellow SNP councillor John Rebbeck added that the hub is “a wonderful place in many different ways” and that the “thoughtless actions of a few tarnish that experience for everyone.”
Charity’s Mission and Future
Letham4All provides numerous free or low-cost services to the community, including a Community Fridge, youth work, fitness programmes, family activities, and free meals during school holidays. The charity aims to help the small core group of offenders understand the consequences of their actions, both for themselves and the community. Suzie Burt concluded: “We just want to help this small core group to understand the consequences of what they have done for themselves and for the community. They’re bringing things down.”
