The fallout for the charity sector from this week’s London riots continues with Age Concern Leicester Shire & Rutland reporting that two ambulances were petrol-bombed on Tuesday night, causing damage in the region of £45,000.

A statement on the charity’s website called it “mindless destruction”. A spokesman said: “At around 8pm on this Tuesday a gang of hooded young people went into an NCP car park in central Leicester where at night we park up to ten ambulances.

“They entered the car park with petrol bombs - picked out one of the vehicles, broke a window and threw the petrol bomb in. The ambulance was totally destroyed and the one next to it badly scorched and damaged.

“We are all totally devastated by this mindless act. The vehicle was not new and so we are unlikely to get much back on insurance. To replace it however - bearing in mind it is purpose-built, we will have to find in the region of £45,000.”

Age UK Croydon was attacked on Monday night. An office was looted and damaged, while a staff member was trapped inside. Its chief executive Stuart Routledge estimates the cost could be up to £30,000.

Elsewhere, a Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre in Norbury was broken into this week. A fire was started and significant damage was caused to the club. The loss and damage sustained is now the subject of an insurance claim. While this takes place the centre will remain closed.