Thieves break into primary school and steal 17-seat minibus

Thieves broke into a primary school and stole its 17-seat minibus.

Sadly, the theft could now lead to the cancellation of upcoming residential stays for pupils in the Lake District and Ireland - after two years of cancelled school trips because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Police are investigating the theft at St Hugh of Lincoln RC Primary School on Glastonbury Road in Stretford, Trafford.

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The large Ford Transit minibus is adorned with the school's name, contact details and logo, but it hasn't been seen since.

Shocked staff arrived at the school on February 4 to find it missing.

Headteacher Mark Mountcastle appealed to anyone with information to contact police.

No arrests have been made as yet and the bus remains outstanding, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.

Mr Mountcastle said the theft of the bus could force the planned trips in May to be called off.

The children, he said, would be hugely upset and the theft has left the whole school devastated.

It's understood thieves used bolt cutters to gain access to a car park through fencing.

Mr Mountcastle said: "We bought our minibus in 2011 - and it was the best investment we ever made.

"Almost all of the children in school have benefited in some way from the bus.

"We use it for sports fixtures and educational trips from nursery to Year 6.

"In addition, we used it during lockdown to deliver food parcels and we often help with transport to and from school for our vulnerable children.

"Over lockdown we had to cancel three residential trips.

"We are due to visit the lakes and Ireland in May, but it looks like we will have to cancel again this year because of the theft.

"It has left us absolutely devastated and the children will be so upset not to go.

"For three