Thieves steal valuable equipment from charity's vintage van

When Druglink’s Coffee Ethic van was broken into over the bank holiday weekend, thieves made off with more than £1,000 worth of kit, including a generator, coffee making equipment, tools and the cash register.

The charity operates the eye-catching Citroen H Van as part of its reintegration programme, helping former drug addicts gain employment skills and experience after they complete their rehabilitation.

But their operation has been hamstrung by the theft just as the busy season approaches.

“We can’t get out to festivals and community events without a generator,” said Druglink’s Emma Kingham.

“It is literally the worst timing. We’re busy the whole of June – we’ve got about 20 festivals booked.”

Mrs Kingham said she was left speechless by the heartlessness of the thieves who tried to steal anything not nailed down inside the charity’s van.

All profits generated through the venture are reinvested back into Druglink and the Coffee Ethic service, making the theft all the more galling.

She said: “Inside we’ve got two massive boards that talk about the whole story of Coffee Ethic. You can’t believe that people would see that and still take everything.

“Where are people’s morals? I really want these people caught so this doesn’t happen again.”

Now Mrs Kingham is appealing for donations to help the charity replace the stolen equipment before the festival season gets fully underway.

“We need to raise the funds. The insurance premium will go up so much if we claim it on the insurance,” she said.

“As a charity we are hoping a fundraising campaign will be the right way to go.”

The van was broken into outside the charity’s office in Red Lion Lane, Hemel Hempstead, at some point between Friday, April 28, and Tuesday, May 2.

As well as the events van, Druglink also operates two static carts in the Borehamwood and St Albans civic centres.

If you wish to donate to the charity’s fundraising campaign, please click here