Heartless thieves steal charity minibus used to help adults with learning disabilities
Callous thieves have made off with a charity's minibus used for ferrying around adults with disabilities.
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The Ford Transit van was taken outside Innage Lane Day Services in Bridgnorth overnight on Sunday/Monday.
The charity provides services to help adults with learning disabilities and runs a day centre in Innage Lane, but also takes its the people who use its services on regular trips.
Innage Lane Service Manager, Tracy Mansell said: “The people we support were devastated to hear about their mini bus being stolen this morning.
“It is really sad that people who go to Innage Lane, who have a range of disabilities have had such a valuable resource stolen. As we are in a small, rural town, public transport is limited. Our minibus is the only way many individuals (some of who live with elderly parents) get to go to places in the community.”
She added: “They will miss out on attending a range of community activities such as horse-riding, photography outreach group, Forage and Finding group, Discovering Shropshire Educational trip as well as the usual day to day activities which constitute to the daily life skills work such as shopping for provisions for both the gardening group and cookery class. These activities are vital for both their physical and mental wellbeing and personal development.“
“The police are involved and the only positive aspect of this is that the thieves did not enter the building and no other items of our property was stolen, nor was any other damage caused.”
The vehicle is a white, Ford Transit van and if anybody had seen it they should contact the police.
The charity is to the first to have its minibus stolen in Bridgnorth recently. Last year, thieves took the Bridgnorth Community Transport Group's 17-seat vehicle from Severn Street car park. It was later found abandoned 17 miles away in Bilston severely damaged.
West Mercia Police said officers were investigating.
A spokesperson said: “This morning we received a report that a minibus had been stolen from a property on Innage Lane in Bridgnorth over the weekend. Enquiries are ongoing.”
