Police issue plea to find two minibuses stolen from school in Kingswinford

POLICE have appealed to the public for help to find two minibuses which were stolen from a school in Kingswinford last week.

West Midlands Police have asked members of the public to keep an eye out for the distinctive minibuses which were taken from Summerhill School on Sunday June 16.

Intruders broke into the school grounds through the gates before making off the vehicles which were used frequently to ferry students to activities such as sports matches and field trips.

The loss of the minibuses has left the school having to cancel certain trips out.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We’re asking for help to find two minibuses which were stolen from a school in Kingswinford last weekend.

“It’s understood that intruders forced their way through gates into the grounds of Summerhill School, Lodge Lane, before making off with the vehicles at around 11.30pm on Sunday (June 16).

“Both vehicles are white Citroen vans and they have the school’s branding on them as pictured, although it is possible this livery may have been removed or painted over.”

Inspector Sarah Smyth, Neighbourhood Policing Manager, added: “Vehicle theft causes upset and inconvenience to people but it’s particularly unfair for a school to be targeted in this way.

“The minibuses are used to take staff and pupils on field trips, and to events and other extra-curricular activities.

"The school needs these vehicles and it will cost them time and money to replace them.

“We’d urge whoever took the minibuses to do the decent thing by owning up, coming forward and returning them.

"But we’re asking for anyone with information that could help our investigation to contact us on 101, or via Live Chat on our website, and quote crime reference 20/589852/24.”

Alternatively, people can share information anonymously by contacting independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.