Police are hunting vandals who caused £150,000 of damage at a plant hire company by carrying out a night time ‘demolition derby’ in its yard.

The attack happened at the premises of KPH Plant Hire Ltd at the Pennine View industrial estate, off Geldard Road, Birstall.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said yesterday: “Once inside the yard the suspects were able to get into and drive some of the vehicles, taking them on a ‘bumper car’ style joyride inside the compound.

“Other vehicles and plant in the yard also had their windows smashed. In all, six vehicles were damaged, at a cost of about £150,000.”

A spokesman for KPH Plant Hire, which was established in 1972, said two of the company’s lorries had been written off and extensive damage caused to a third.

He said the attack had caused huge disruption to the firm and he urged anyone with information about the vandals to contact police.

“We are very keen for people to come forward. This has caused an awful lot of disruption for us,” the spokesman said.

“We are having to buy replacement vehicles at an enormous cost and have had to turn down work. Most of the people we employ are local people. We have had to hire vehicles in.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call Detective Constable Cath Lowdon at Dewsbury CID on (01924) 431095 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

  • Read the full story in Friday's T&A