Thieves drain fuel from Bradford community buses
Newlands Community Transport found diesel had been taken from 2 of their buses, after thieves cut through the fuel pipes
Last updated 28th Sep 2021
We're hearing how a community group in Bradford, turned up to work to find diesel all over the floor, as thieves had cut through the fuel pipes on their buses and drained the diesel from them.
The transport secretary says the fuel crisis is seeing its first signs of "stabilisation", but Grant Shapps admits the situation's not improved at forecourts.
Angela Robertson is from Newlands Community Transport, she said they've had to cancel dozens of trips this week and leave drivers without work:
"There was diesel all over the car park, we went to check the buses and seen that both buses are empty. There was no fuel in them at all. On inspection we realise that both the fuel pipes had been cut on both buses and it's just unbelievable.
"I think we were all just in a state of shock, just unbelieving that this had happened.
"Then, who's done it? Who has done this?"
The group takes children, from nursery age out on school trips, as well as transporting the elderly community out on walking trips.
She said all have now been cancelled:
"Sixty children that are now disappointed at not being out. I have a group of seniors who go out on a Friday, part of our walking group, that's their exercise for the week, they can't now do that.
"Why would they think that they deserve that fuel more than us? We have a job to do. We can't now do it, it impacts on everybody. I now have drivers, that have no work for this week."
West Yorkshire Police say they were contacted yesterday (Monday September 27) by a victim reporting the theft of fuel from a vehicle parked at the Rockwell Centre on Summerfield Road, Bradford.