Kentish Express Ashford & District
4x4 rescue vehicle is stolen
Thieves have stolen a beloved Land Rover belonging to a volunteer for the South East 4x4 Response team.
Owner Louise Wright, 31 of Mabledon Avenue, Ashford, discovered her Land Rover Defender 90, which has a snorkel, roof rack and winch bumper, had gone missing from behind her house over the weekend.
Mrs Wright is a member of the unpaid response team, which is made up of 4x4 owners who voluntarily assist the emergency services, Kent search and rescue teams and local councils during times of bad weather or in places that are difficult to access.
She said: “I signed up with the response team about a year ago and have been training and getting to know them all.
“It is the vehicle that I had always wanted. We had done a lot of work on it and I have had it for quite a few years.
“I joined the team because I had the car and I just wanted to help, so I am devastated.” James Chalkley, vicechairman for South East 4x4 Response team, said: “Louise is one of the few female members of our team and it is a terrible shame.
“It is one less vehicle on the road, and in a search and res- cue case that can mean the difference between finding someone or not.
“I certainly hope that these people or person gets caught and in the hope it isn’t already halfway across Europe.
“Please be vigilant and keep an eye out for the Land Rover.”
Anyone with information can contact Kent Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.