HEARTLESS THIEVES STEAL CHARITY VAN
Vital community service pays the price
A charity has hit out at cruel thieves who have left them thousands of pounds out of pocket.
The British Red Cross depot at Eliburn Industrial Estate in Livingston was targeted by crooks who stole a Transit van that is vital for the work it does in helping elderly and disabled people throughout West Lothian.
Volunteers use the van – registration KS63 CKX – to collect and deliver wheelchairs and the theft means the charity will have to shell out over £6000 a year to replace it. In the meantime the charity is having to hire transport to continue the service.
The crime appears to be part of a spate of vehicle thefts in the area and the second time the charity has been targeted by criminals.
Last year, thieves broke into the depot and stole two wheels from a different van. Mairi Findlay, support assistant, said: “It’s pretty low. The van has Red Cross on it and we’re a high-profile charity, so there was no way they didn’t know what it was. The vehicle was
used to take wheelchairs to people who are often isolated.
“There is also the cost. Charities are finding it hard at the moment. We’re having to hire a van to replace the one stolen so we’re having to pay for that every day.”
Police believe the theft is connected to a break-in the following day, also at the industrial estate, when another van was stolen. The Red Cross was targeted at 10.25pm on Monday, August 13. The second theft took place around 10pm the next day when a van with blue ‘DPH’livery, registration SA14 OYP, was stolen.
PC Marc Lunn said:“These thefts have denied a charity and a local business of resources and we’re asking for the public’s help as part of our efforts to return these vehicles to their rightful owners.
“Anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour in the area, or who may know the whereabouts of the vans, is urged to contact either us or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers.
“We’d urge van owners to consider investing in a steering lock, or try to block your vehicle in on an evening so it’s more difficult to move if someone is able to gain entry.”
Those with information can contact Police via 101, quoting incident number 0783 of August 14 for the British Red Cross van theft, or 1096 of August 15 for the theft of the van with‘DPH’livery.
Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.