VANDALS have struck at a charity which helps disabled children in an act described by police as "mindless".

Volunteers at St Ives (Bingley) Riding for the Disabled based at the St Ives Estate near Bingley discovered the vandalism as they tried to pick up a horse to head to a competition.

Glue had been poured into padlocks securing gates to the fields they use to graze their three horses, leaving them unable to open the gates.

Group instructor Elaine Goodall told the Telegraph & Argus that three combination locks had been glued and one key lock had been tampered with.

The locks had to be cut off and replaced at a cost of around £80, and there was a delay in setting off to the riding competition last Sunday.

Police officers and Bradford Council park rangers are stepping up patrols at the Council-owned estate as a response.

The police said the mindless act could have led to tragedy, as it could have delayed emergency services accessing the fields.

Miss Goodall said the group, which has 21 riders and 13 volunteers, had been left inconvenienced by the vandalism and soaking wet as they recovered the horses ahead of the dressage qualifier at Middleton Park Equestrian Centre in Leeds.

She added: "I can only think it is teenagers having a prank.

"Something similar has happened before, but that time one of my colleagues oiled the locks the day before and the glue just bubbled up, so we were able to just knock it off when it was discovered."

A police spokesman said: "RDA’s horses and ponies provide therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities all over the UK. The network of 500 volunteer groups organise activities such as riding, carriage driving, vaulting and showjumping to up to 28,000 people each year.

"This mindless act of vandalism has not only cost the charity financially, it also prevented volunteers from taking the horses from the field for some considerable time, delaying planned activities with service users.

"This type of behaviour is unacceptable and would have prevented emergency services gaining access in the event of an emergency. Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team will be patrolling in the area with Bradford Council Park Rangers."

Anyone with information relating to the incident can call 101 quoting 13150177058.