Catalytic converters stolen from two Cricklewood special needs school minibuses (From Times Series)

Catalytic converters stolen from two Cricklewood special needs school minibuses

3:00pm Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

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HEARTLESS thieves have left special needs school children without transport after stealing the catalytic converters from two specially adapted minibuses.

Staff at Mapledown School in Cricklewood discovered the crucial exhaust components had been stolen from two Variety Club buses when they returned to get classrooms ready yesterday.

The converters, which contain valuable metals including rhodium and platinum, reduce the toxic gases emitted from exhausts and can fetch a high price as scrap or for resale.

Deputy head of the Claremont Road school, David Aaron, who first found the parts were missing, said the thefts would cost the school thousands of pounds and mean children are unable to go on vital trips.

He told the Times Series: “I came to look at the buses and noticed part of the exhaust pipe lying there. I thought someone had been doing work at first.

"Depending on the class, they can go out in the buses three or four times a week.

“We use them to take the children to various places, including places they can practise their social interaction and help them develop practical life skills.

“The council's insurance department has been helpful and so hopefully we will get the buses back in the next few days to minimise disruption.”

Mr Aaron believes the theft occurred between last Tuesday, August 24, and Monday night, as the buses had been used most days during the summer holidays.

He added: “It's pretty obvious from the writing on the side who uses these buses. It's completely heartless to just take them away from these children.

“You would hope there are some victims these thieves would not target. Now, more than ever, every penny counts. It's going to cost about £2,500 to replace and we have to spend £400 on an insurance excess.

“That money could be spent on equipment or sending a teacher on a development course to help our pupils.”

The school does not have a CCTV system, although Mr Aaron said these thefts had prompted them to look into getting one.

He said: “We would need 9ft gates to keep people out of the school grounds so CCTV would be less intrusive for the neighbours.

“This may have been opportunist, or it could be someone was watching and waiting for a period when the school buses were not being used much.”

Detective Sergeant Gary Staples of Barnet acquisitive crime unit who is leading the investigation said: “To have stolen from a school which serves the community is unfeeling.

“To have stolen from a school that is there to help children who have special needs is totally heartless.

"The fact that two of these converters were stolen shows this crime was purely for the thieves' profit. I would urge anyone who has information about the crime or how these people are disposing of the converters to contact police.

"We would also ask local garages to contact police if they are offered any cheap catalytic converters."

The public can contact Barnet police on 0300 123 1212, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quote reference 2420802/10.