Thieves steal special school's minibus and damage another vehicle in heartless night raid

The criminals were caught on CCTV breaking into a secure area at the school last night at 10.15pm (June 10) and now the local community has launched a social media bid to find out where the stolen minibus is.

Police are investigating the raid at The Willows School on Locksley Drive, Thurcroft, which has left staff and pupils devastated.

Headteacher Mrs Rachael Booth said that the loss of the two vehicles has thrown school activities into chaos and will have a long-term impact on pupils’ activities.

She told the Advertiser: “Both vehicles were donated from a member of the community.

“All our vehicles should have been out today.

“This is not just a single incident, this is going have a knock-on impact.

“How are we going to replace it?”

Mrs Booth said that the cost pf replacing the stolen minibus and repairing the damaged one will run into “tens of thousands of pounds”, which is beyond school funds.

She said that the vehicles were in a secure area when the thieves broke in.

In the first minibus targeted, the floor has been ripped out and the vehicle “screwdrivered” before the raiders moved on to the second vehicle which they managed to drive away.

Mrs Booth said it is a dark navy blue 17-seater Peugeot minibus with the registration WA68 8BU. It had the school name on its side. But she said that the plates may have been replaced by now and the school logo covered up.

She estimated that it is worth £25-30,000.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “At 10.15pm yesterday (Wednesday 10 June) we received reports of a burglary at Thurcroft Infant School, on Locksley Drive, Rotherham.

“It is reported that a vehicle was stolen from within the premises of the school by two unknown people.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact us on 101 or online, quoting investigation number 14/104761/26.”