THURROCK Council has shown compassion to residents in Tilbury whose refuse collection bins were recently destroyed by vandals.

The bins, including three belonging to Belinda Raja, were set alight.

However, when the residents initially raised the issue with the council they were told the bins could only be replaced at residents' expense.

However, after something of a public outcry on social media, the council has had a change of heart and today (Monday, 25 November) told Thurrock NubNews: "Thurrock Council has had a policy in place since November 2011 that residents are responsible for the cost of replacing their bins unless they have been damaged during the collection process and reported by our crews.

"The council sympathises with the resident who has been a victim of crime and on this occasion will be replacing the bins damaged by vandals."