Charity boss hits out at 'mind-blowing' van theft

11 hours ago

Joanna TaylorCambridgeshire

News image — Steve Clay said he had "never, ever seen anything like this before"

CAMBRIDGE CITY FOODBANK Steve Clay stands next to the partially destroyed van. Clay is standing to the left of the vehicle, frowning with his hands in his pockets. He is wearing a dark jumper, light rain jacket and navy trousers. The van next to him has its entire bonnet missing, leaving the inner parts of the van exposed. It is sitting on a residential street. — Steve Clay said he had "never, ever seen anything like this before"

A food bank boss said it was "mind-blowing" that thieves had put its van out of action by stealing its engine.

Steve Clay, chief executive of Cambridge City Foodbank, said the charity's primary mode of transport had been written off after being towed from its warehouse and abandoned nearby, with its engine compartment completely removed.

"It's mind-blowing, really, to think that somebody could be so callous," Clay said.

Cambridgeshire Police said it was contacted about the theft from Nuffield Close last week, adding that investigations were ongoing.

Clay said CCTV suggested the van was stolen at about 20:00 BST on Tuesday, after two previous visits from thieves in which they broke a window and prepared the van to be towed.

He believes they then spent about two hours dismantling the van before abandoning it on a nearby street, where it was found the following day by a resident.

Clay said he had "never, ever seen anything like this before".

The van, the larger of the food bank's two vehicles, was used to transport donations from supermarkets, businesses and community groups to the charity's warehouse, as well as to take food parcels to its eight centres across Cambridge.

CAMBRIDGE CITY FOODBANK The driver's seat of the van can be seen through a broken window. There are shards of glass attached to the rubber around the window. Inside there are shards of glass on the seats and floor. — The van's window was smashed before it was towed away, said the charity

The charity, which estimates it provides 250,000 meals to people facing hardship each year, is raising funds to help towards the cost of a new van.

Although the vehicle was insured, Clay said sourcing a suitable and reliable replacement would likely "cost us thousands more" than the sum they would get from the insurer.

It is fundraising to bridge that gap and has raised more than £5,000 so far. Any excess funds would be used to support the food bank's wider work.

In a statement, the charity said: "While criminals may have stolen our van, they will never take our hope and belief in the power of community."