Vital adapted minibus stolen from theatre group

Shining Stars ASN Theatre School have appealed for help in tracing the vehicle.

Vital adapted minibus stolen from theatre group

A minibus has been stolen from an additional support needs theatre group in North Lanarkshire.

Shining Stars ASN Theatre School have appealed for help in tracing the vehicle, which is vital in transporting their children and adults around the community in Coatbridge.

Katie Slavin, founder of the school, realised the vehicle was missing from an industrial estate in the town on Monday evening.

The theatre teacher said she couldn’t put into words how important the vehicle is to their work.

Ms Slavin said: “I went down to the yard where it’s kept yesterday, around 8.15 to 8.30pm, and that’s when I realised it wasn’t there.

“The van is used to get our kids and adults about in our community. It’s all been adapted for our wheelchair users, so they can get on and off safely. It’s got an electric ramp.

“We just want it back. I can’t even say how it important it is to us.”

The Ford Transit is black but could be silver if the wrapping is removed and its registration is HN16 CME.

It was purchased as a result of funding from the People’s Projects – a partnership which includes STV and the National Lottery.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We received a report of a Ford Transit van being stolen from the Brown Street Industrial Estate in Coatbridge some time between Saturday, January 18 and 6.30pm on Monday, February 3.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

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