Thieves steal treasured bus from Poplar pensioners

PENSIONERS at an East End community group could be forced to stay at home this week after heartless thieves stole their mini-bus. Elderly residents at Neighbours in Poplar were outraged to discover their mini-bus had been snatched from outside their driv

PENSIONERS at an East End community group could be forced to stay at home this week after heartless thieves stole their mini-bus.

Elderly residents at Neighbours in Poplar were outraged to discover their mini-bus had been snatched from outside their driver's house in Ackroyd Drive in Bow on Sunday night.

Around 30 members, many of whom are in wheelchairs, had been dropped off at St Matthias Community Centre in Poplar High Street for their usual Sunday dinner and game of bingo.

But they were left standing in the pouring rain after driver Tony Clark came out of his house to pick them up again at around 5pm and discovered the three-year-old Mercedes Sprinter Van had gone.

The community group paid for the majority of the �36,000 bus themselves and say they cannot afford to buy another one.

Sister Christine Frost who runs Neighbours in Poplar which is based in East India Dock Road said: "It was people who are old and fragile left in the rain and cold on Sunday night because the bus did not turn up."

Anyone who has seen it should contact Neighbours in Poplar or Tower Hamlets police on 0300 123 1212.