Stolen church trailer is returned anonymously but wheelchairs still missing

The trailer was taken from A Place of Refuge in The Delves, Walsall, just over a week ago, and a new one had been donated to the group.

But on Saturday the devastated congregation received a call from someone claiming they had bought it without knowing it was stolen.

The caller apologised and said they had dropped it off nearby on Newton Road.

The trailer was recovered but items inside it, including wheelchairs and disability scooters for members, are still missing and police have urged the public to come forward with any information about the theft.

Denise Smith, centre manager at the church, said: "The whole thing has just been overwhelming. It has been a real rollercoaster.

"The actual trailer itself was donated to us in the first place. It was a vital resource to us, we used it wherever we went.

"We have been all over with it to Wales and the Lake District.

"We put everything in there such as the scooters for the children.

"We also put wheelchairs in there for some of our older members, which means when we go out it gives them their independence.

"For them it has been a lifeline.

"We were just devastated when it was stolen. It was horrendous. I am a nurse who works part time and I was having to come out of work because of everything that was happening. We are a real community church and the impact it had has been huge."

The trailer was taken some time after 11.30am on January 14.

A brief appeal for information was put out on the church's Facebook page, which saw attention snowball and support for the church group pour in.

Then they got a call from someone who had the trailer in their possession. It was recovered on Saturday afternoon almost a week after it was taken.

Mrs Smith added: "Someone called to say they had bought it and they didn't know it was stolen.

"They said sorry and agreed to drop it off somewhere. We couldn't believe it.

"I honestly don't know if the person who called was the one who had taken it or if they had genuinely bought it, not knowing.

"We just put the appeal out hoping someone would leave it somewhere and that is exactly what has happened."

The church now has two trailers now the original has been returned because someone donated another after the news of the theft.

Mrs Smith said security measures have been stepped up.

Bulldog Security Products, based in Much Wenlock, has given the church free locks for the wheel and hitch to deter thieves from targeting the trailer again.

Mrs Smith said: "The reaction has been amazing. Out of something awful something very positive has happened and we have ended up with a good outcome. There has also been a lot of prayer as well.

"The trailer itself was covered by the insurance, so we were going to claim it back, but it would mean our premium went up next year.

"And the scooters and things that were inside it are still missing.

"We are relieved to have it back but obviously we have got to make things more secure now which will incur costs.

"You shouldn't have to put locks on a church gates but these are the times we live in.

"We just want to thank everyone for their support." West Midlands Police said it was investigating the incident and that items inside the trailer when it was stolen are still missing.

A spokesman for the force said: "A trailer stolen from the Place of Refuge Community Church in Talke Road, Delves has been found.

"Police are investigating after a member of the public called to say they had bought the trailer.

"Disability scooters, ramps and wheelchairs from inside the vehicle are still missing."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.