Thieves steal minibus from Rawmarsh disability charity amid flooding chaos

A 17-seater Ford Transit worth £13,000 was stolen from Social Eyes' headquarters at Harding Avenue, Rawmarsh, between 4pm and 11.45pm.

Social Eyes is a day service for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and autism.

Margaret Gregory, of Social Eyes, said the minibus was used by 30 people six-days-a-week for outings and activities such as football training and swimming.

She said the charity's last outing would have returned at about 4pm yesterday and that neighbours noticed the minibus was missing at 11.45pm.

"Our young people are devastated as they enjoy outings everyday in the minibus," she said.

"It is required to transport them to our various out of centre activities."

The minibus has the registration number BJ12 YF3.

The Social Eyes headquarters was not directly affected by flooding, however, large parts of Rotherham were left under water yesterday when a month's rain fell in 24 hours.

Anyone with information about the theft should call police on 101, quoting incident number 14/169253/19.