Hooded thieves ransack autism charity

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Hooded thieves ransack autism charity

CROSBY, UK: Hooded thieves ransacked an autism charity for three

hours before seizing minibuses and maintenance vans worth £50,000.

The gang were caught on CCTV wandering around the Autism Initiatives

site in Chesterfield Road, deliberating which vehicles they wanted to

steal.

Two minibuses, two maintenance vans and equipment were taken after a

raid on an office for vehicle keys.

At one point, CCTV footage shows the gang of around five men grouping

together and talking in the forecourt before deciding which ones to

take.

Stan Rimmer, director of Autism Initiatives, said: " I think it is

devastating really. It is not as if whoever did it didn't know what

we were. They didn't come in not knowing we were a charity. That is

the thing that hurts the most. Any business is bad enough but to know

they were stealing from a charity. "

The men are described as between 18 to 30 years old and were wearing

hooded jackets.

A silver van, a royal blue Citroen Belingo van with the charity logo,

a white converted minibus and royal blue minibus with containing the

charity logo were stolen.

There was a reported sighting of the Citroen van in Norris Green on

Friday raising fears offenders could be posing as charity staff.

Bridge, head of transport at the Autism Initiatives site,

said: " It concerns me that it is on the road and they could be

knocking on pensioners' doors. "

The minibuses are used every day to transport around 20 people with

autism on outdoor activities.

said: " One minibus is used for conservation work. They go to the

dunes during the week and help with the restoration of the dunes. It

has reduced their lifestyle. A person with Autism Spectrum Disorder

has a routine and if we take that routine away, it can cause problems

for themselves as well as staff. "

The maintenance vans were the only ones at the site and were used to

carry out work at homes of people with autism in Crosby, Liverpool

and Lancashire.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: " We are investigating and we

would appeal to anybody with information to come forward. "

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(Source: Crosby Herald, November 15, 2007)