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Kidderminster headteacher tells of disruption after minibuses stolen from academy

A headteacher says staff face a race against time to ease disruption after minibuses which bring pupils to school were stolen.

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Two minibuses worth £20,000 each were taken from the grounds of ContinU Plus Academy, near Kidderminster.

The academy helps support 88 children from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not attend mainstream schools.

Its pupils are transported to and from school using the minibuses.

They are also used to take pupils on outside activities and education trips.

Headteacher Sara Devo said her staff were having to find alternatives to enable students to attend lessons.

"It is disappointing. We would hope that anyone involved would have the courage to come forward," she said.

"Our motto is 'We will work it out' so that it what will will do.

"The buses are used to bring pupils to school.

"They are due back in school on Monday after Easter.

"Our staff are working hard to try to find alternative ways to avoid disruption."

It is the second time that the school had been targeted.

Last summer three minibuses were taken from the grounds.

The school had to divert funds to help pay towards the cost of replacing them

In response the school installed electric gates, satellite trackers inside the vehicles alongside bollards and CCTV in place at the site.

But last Tuesday thieves are believed to have been able to disable the gates to get inside.

Once on the grounds they broke in and disabled the tracking systems on two of the white Ford Transits.

They were then manoeuvred around bollards and driven away.

Ms Devo added: "They must have known what they were doing to go to these lengths."

The academy is based in Finepoint Way, on the Kidderminster and Stourport border, near Wyre Forest District Council's headquarters.

It is believed two offenders were behind the theft which happened at around 9.30pm.

The minibuses, both complete with the academy livery, were stolen without keys.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident 138S of 13 April.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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