Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service is prevented from helping youth at risk due to stolen van
A motorhome used to help young people avoid and escape the vicious cycle of alcohol and drug addiction has been stolen from its base in Essex.
Based in Chelmsford, the Children’s Society’s Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service had their vehicle taken on Wednesday from outside the Galleywood Youth Centre.
Thieves removed a safety clamp from one of the wheels before taking off with the 2008 white Roller Team, worth approximately £30,000. Contained within the motorhome was a television, DVD player and a kettle, as well as pamphlets and other materials used to provide teenagers with information and advice about living with alcohol or drugs misuse in the family.
Senior project worker, Chris Pegley, said: “We are a charity trying to do important work with young people and we’ve been prevented from doing this by other people’s inconsideration and greed.
“I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into putting this information unit together,” Pegley added.
The charity, which is about to start a brand new programme to train volunteers to support young people out-of-hours across Essex, has now placed things on hold, essentially preventing the organisation from doing what they do best.
The motorhome served many purposes including reaching out to young people, who are often on the streets or in parks or other public places, to focus on the risk of grooming and inappropriate sexual relationships.
The vehicle was planned to be taken out last friday in Brentwood by the staff at The Children’s Society with a group of volunteers.
Despite being based in Chelmsford, the charity also works across the country.
If anyone has any information or details about the missing campervan – registration number AU58 BKX – they can call Essex Police by calling 101 or 01245 491491
