Hunt for thieves who torched children's charity minibus

A minibus stolen from a primary school in West Lothian has been found burnt out and destroyed.

The bus, belonging to childcare charity Simply Play, was stolen from Simpson’s Primary in Wester Inch, Bathgate on Friday.

After an appeal to help find the bus, the “heartbroken” group revealed on Friday that it had been found, but in an irreparable state.

It was found completely burnt out in Fauldhouse on Monday evening.

A GoFundMe page has now been launched to help pay for a new bus.

Posting on their Facebook page they said: “Words can’t describe how heartbroken we are.

“This is what they’ve done to our children’s minibus – totally stripped and burnt out in the middle of nowhere.”

Police are now investigating the incident.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police in West Lothian are investigating the theft of a vehicle from outside a school in Bathgate which was later found burnt out in Fauldhouse.

“The theft happened from outside the school on Leyland Road on Friday, 9 April, sometime after 5.30pm.

“The vehicle was then found burnt out on Monday evening, in Fauldhouse.

“Anyone who saw the vehicle between Friday, 9 April and Monday, 12 April, or has any information to assist police enquiries, should contact officers on 101.”

The charities GoFundMe page has so far raised over £1,000 towards a replacement.

Their CEO Raymond Branton said: “Everyone is gutted with this heartless theft.

“The last year has been tough enough on childcare providers and as a local charity, this will cost us money that we can ill afford”