‘No link’ after five minibuses stolen

Officers investigating five stolen minibuses from schools and care homes across Sunderland do not believe they are linked and are treating them as separate incidents.

The first theft took place on Thursday, June 11, when Glenholme House Residential Care Home in Roker reported their minibus stolen.

The second happened between Saturday, July 11, and Monday, July 13, when thieves managed to steal three minibuses from The Link School in Pallion.

That same weekend, vandals targeted two minibuses at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, causing over £3,000 worth of damage.

The latest happened earlier this week between Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22, when thieves stole a minibus from St Benet’s Roman Catholic Primary School on Fulwell Road.

Officers are currently investigating each incident separately and do not believe any of them are connected at this time.

Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing, of Northumbria Police, said: “We are aware of a number of incidents involving theft of minibuses across Sunderland in recent weeks.

“Inquiries are ongoing into each report made to us, and anybody found to have been involved will be dealt with swiftly and robustly. At this stage, we do not currently believe that they are linked.

“There is no place for this type of offending, and it is especially disappointing that those involved have committed these offences at a time when the whole city has been pulling together and showing the community spirit that this region is famed for.”