Thieves steal Sunderland care home minibus used to help keep staff virus-free during the pandemic

Workers at the Glenholme House Care Home in Park Avenue in Roker have been left sad and angry after the white Ford Transit bus – marked up with the home’s details – was driven away by thieves.

CCTV footage reveals one man managed to break in and get the vehicle started while another kept a lookout, jumping into the van as it was stolen from the home.

The minibus – registration plate YD60 0KA – is usually used to help people with dementia take day trips, but it has been commandeered during the crisis to transport staff to keep them off public transport, reducing the risk of picking up the virus.

The home says it is proud of the efforts to ensure none of its workers or residents have developed the illness.

Manager Sonia Metcalf has praised maintenance man Paul Lincoln, who has also acted as a driver seven-days a week, for ensuring people were still able to get to and home for their shifts by using his own car.

He discovered the minibus had gone as he began work just before 7am on Friday, June 12, with the CCTV showing it had been stolen at 10.45pm the night before.

Sonia said: “We’re in a pandemic at the moment and we have worked hard to keep coronavirus out of our care home and to keep our residents and staff safe.

“We have a lot of staff who use public transport and for the last three months, we have taken these extra measures to keep away from other people.

"It makes my blood boil that someone has taken our bus.”

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “It was reported that an offender had gained access to the premises and stolen a white Ford Transit minibus which was parked outside.

“The vehicle has ‘Wellburn Care Homes’ written on it.

“An investigation is ongoing to trace those responsible.

“Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or use the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website quoting log 127 120620.”

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