by Joe Jeffrey
Moment callous thieves steal disabled child’s caravan caught on film
CCTV footage of the moment a caravan worth £10,000 was stolen from the family of an 11-year-old autistic child has been released in an attempt to bring the thieves to justice.
The CCTV images show how, in the space of just six minutes, a gang of men in a Land Rover, manage to push the caravan, which was located in Townhill, Fife, into position before hitching it to their vehicle and escaping into the night.
The raid, which happened shortly before 3am on 24 March, has left the family, including autistic son, Gavin, who saw the caravan as a safe holiday haven, devastated.
Gavin’s father, Steven, said “I received a phone call from a friend at around 9am telling me the caravan was gone.
“We were totally devastated as we saved for a long time to buy the right caravan for us.”
The married father of three added: “We haven’t told our children yet. Our oldest son, Gavin, has autism and this played a key part in choosing a caravan where he could have his own space when he needed.
“Gavin doesn’t like sleeping in strange places like hotels. The caravan was ideal as it has a separate bedroom for him. He loved it.
“The caravan was great because it was his with his own bedroom at the rear, somewhere that he knows.”
Inspector Ian Stephen from Cowdenbeath Police Station said: “This is a distinctive caravan, it is 20 feet (6.35metres) long, white and with a blue stripe.
“If anyone sees it, we’d ask them to contact us.”
Those with information have been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
