'Lifeline' school bus stolen and torched devastates community

A tight-knit community has been left feeling "absolutely devastated" after a much-loved school minibus was stolen before being burnt out and abandoned.

St Joseph's R C Primary School in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, described the bus, which was used for school trips and community events, as a "lifeline" for the children.

Head teacher John McMorrow said it was "quite emotional" seeing the burnt shell of the bus after it was found in the Merthyr Tydfil area a day after the theft on March 1.

The community has since rallied around the school, setting up a fundraiser for a replacement.

Police said investigations into the theft were ongoing.

McMorrow, 57, said he "couldn't understand" why anyone would want to steal the 10-year-old minibus.

"We didn't think it would be of any value to anybody," he added.

The vehicle was stolen at about 17:25 GMT on 1 March before the head teacher received "tip-offs" from parents that it had been abandoned on Merthyr Tydfil's Bogey Road.

"My secretary and I drove over there and by chance we found it," he said.

"Although the bus was a complete shell, we could still make out part of the logo on the driver's door."

McMorrow said he felt "quite emotional" as it "sunk in that the bus wasn't coming back" to the school.

McMorrow said two hooded suspects were seen on CCTV using an angle grinder to cut through the front gate.

"A neighbour heard the noise and realised that's not right," he said.

"She phoned the police but within five minutes they were gone."

The bus has allowed pupils to travel to local sporting events, sing in choirs and visit nursing homes in recent years.

Those events will now have to be put on hold, leaving students feeling "devastated".

McMorrow said parents felt "understandably outraged" about the incident and have since started a fundraiser to help the school.

Collections have been taking place in venues ranging from pubs to factories.

"The outpouring of a support has been quite touching really.

"This is when you find out what it means to be part of a valleys community."

Stephanie Bendel, from Tredegar, set up the fundraiser as she said she felt "quite attached" to the school.

The 35-year-old added there was a "long line" of people in her family that have attended St Joseph's, including her three children.

"We are trying to raise funds to get the children back on the road," she said.

Bendel said the crime had impacted the pupils as well as "the wider community".

"You just think, what was the point," she added.

Discussions have taken place about which precautions will be in place if and when a new bus is acquired.

Bendel said making the bus trackable and even storing it in an external lock up have both been mentioned.

"You don't think these things are going to happen to a primary school.

"But we've had support from people from far and wide who have actually donated which is absolutely brilliant."

Gwent Police said they received reports of a stolen minibus at about 17:30 GMT on 1 March.

"Enquiries were undertaken and the minibus was discovered, burnt out in the Merthyr Tydfil area, the following day," the statement added.

Investigations into the theft are currently ongoing.