Thieves have targeted a disability charity, stealing four buses which are vital to vulnerable adults.

Staff at Learning Disability Experience (LDX) say they devastated by the actions of the "cruel" criminals.

Scores of children, young people and adults with learning disabilities use the centre in Matlock Road, Leyton, every week.

Yesterday, chief executive Ann Weekes said the charity is in now in crisis and has been forced to temporarily shut down.

The Ford transit mini-buses, two 17-seaters and two 14-seaters, were stolen from the private parking area outside charity’s centre in the early hours of March 18.

A week later, on March 24, one of the vehicles was found eight miles away in Torrington Road, Loughton.

Ms Weekes has appealed for the public’s help in tracing the other three stolen mini-buses.

She said: “The people who stole these vehicles are evil.

”What reason would anyone have to take vehicles with ‘Learning Disability Experience’ clearly marked on them?

“How can the thieves not know from the markings that these mini-buses were being used to support people with multiple disabilities?”

 

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Disability charity LDX is asking people to look out for stolen vans

“These mini-buses have been specially adapted to transport people with special needs, some of whom are wheelchair-bound, so the vehicles are not easy to replace.”

“The theft has led to the reduction and, in many cases, the temporary closure of these services while we try and arrange new vehicles.”

“This crime has had a devastating effect on the charity and the children, young people, adults and their carers who rely on us.”

“How do you explain to a child with autism waiting at the door of their home that the minibus which normally takes them to the kids club won’t be coming today because someone has stolen it?”

Mrs Weekes said the charity expected to lose thousands of pounds of much-needed funds as it looks to hire replacement mini-buses and lay on taxis to help continue to provide a service.

All the vehicles are less than a year old and have been leased by the charity.

The total value of the loss amounts to £142,000.

The charity, which previously asked for the public’s help to fund a new building, has renewed its call to the community and council.

“The day centre is a rotting cabin that has been there for more than 30 years and is no longer fit for purpose,” Mrs Weekes added.

“It is in bad state of disrepair and needs replacing. We desperately need support from Waltham Forest Council and the local community with providing a building that the children, young people and adults we help can continue to benefit from.

“A more secure building will also ensure our invaluable resources are protected.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Mrs Weekes on 07805 713 755 or via aweekes@ldx.org.uk.