A charity has been left struggling to operate after one of its buses was stolen and set on fire.

Community Transport Dacorum’s fleet of minibuses serve people from Kings Langley, Bovingdon, Abbots Langley and Hemel Hempstead, taking the elderly and school children to and from different locations.

But on March 7, between 12.45pm and 11pm, its Peugeot Boxer minibus was stolen from Shendish Manor – a hotel that lets that charity keep the bus there.

Watford Observer: The Peugeot Boxer that was stolen and then set on fireThe Peugeot Boxer that was stolen and then set on fire (Image: Community Transport Dacorum)

It was later discovered on fire in Cupid Green Lane in Hemel Hempstead at around 11.05pm on the same evening, police confirmed.  

Deborah Fogden, the charity’s community transport manager, said she was “gutted” when she found out it was stolen.

She said: “It has had a huge impact on the charity’s ability to carry on.”

The charity still has six other buses, but those have already been allocated to the schedule.

Watford Observer: The charity also helps children in the community The charity also helps children in the community (Image: Community Transport Dacorum)

Ms Fogden said she is working out a rota to try and keep transporting people to and from shops so she will not have to cancel.

She said: “It’s a lifeline for some people. It is the only way they can travel.

“The buses are also used for day trips.

“One bus is used three or four times a week. We serve about 400 people a week.”

Now Ms Fogden is worried about how to find a replacement.

Watford Observer: This is not the stolen bus, but the one that was also has equipment to help those who are less abled. This is not the stolen bus, but the one that was also has equipment to help those who are less abled. (Image: Community Transport Dacorum)

She said: “I know the insurance will pay out, but my fear is that it won’t be enough to buy a new bus of the same quality.

“This one was lovely, it had a lift for people with disabilities. Finding one with the same qualities is going to be a challenge.”

Ms Fogden thinks a new bus will cost around £60k, so the charity is likely to buy a second-hand one for around £45k.

She said: “We have set up a crowdfunding page to try and raise more money.

“We are hoping to be able to buy an electric vehicle to make a better impact on the community.”

Information regarding the theft can be reported to police via 101, quoting crime reference 41/19352/23.