by Julie Tickner T&A Reporter Charity workers have been left devastated after thieves caused hundreds of pounds of damage to a bus used for outreach work and hired out to raise vital funds.

Thieves took a laptop worth around £500 and new awning from the HALE customised coach when they broke in earlier this week.

Shipley-based HALE (Health Action Local Engagement) is a charity working to improve health, including work around underage binge drinking in Bingley and diabetes awareness in Manningham.

The bus was locked at a secure depot off Otley Road in Baildon, behind an eight foot high locked fence, and covered by CCTV, when it was broken into.

It is used by the charity to get out and meet people as close to home as possible and hired to other groups .

Damage to the main door which was forced open will cost around £300 to repair, police said.

HALE communications worker Katy Whitham said: “It’s really vital we can get to people and be right in where we need to be.

“We’ve had to cancel things for this week, but we’re hoping that we can get everything up and running as soon as possible.

“Obviously all the staff are really upset. We get really involved in our work and so we can’t help but take it personally.

“The fact we’re a charity and the fact it’s known as a charity bus - the fact that someone is stealing from a charity is really quite galling. The fact it’s out of action and now we can’t deliver our own sessions, it’s devastating.”

The bus has a kitchen, seating area, private consultation area and toilet and is used for outreach projects, small group workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one consultations.

A police spokesman said anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 8.30pm on Tuesday, July 9 and 5.40pm on Wednesday July 10, should contact the Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team via 101.