JOYRIDERS have been condemned for stealing a minibus used as a vital free shuttle service on a Bradford housing estate.

Transports chiefs had to step in today to arrange an emergency replacement vehicle for the service on the Ravenscliffe estate.

The free half-hourly service was set up earlier this year after roadworks left the regular bus unable to run through the estate.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority funds the minibus service, which has been running six days a week from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

But last night, Ladies Only Travel, which has been operating the shuttle service, received a call from the police alerting the firm to the theft and that the minibus had been recovered in Greystone Crescent in Thorpe Edge.

Depot manager Phil Read told the Telegraph & Argus that the white minibus was usually kept at the firm's Brighouse base overnight, but the driver, who lives on the Ravenscliffe estate had picked it up the night before and parked it outside her home at about 8.30pm.

The first they knew anything about the theft was the call from police shortly before 10pm - under 90 minutes from when it was first parked up on the street.

Mr Read said: "At this stage we don't know how it was stolen and what state it is in now it's been recovered.

"The police are currently trying to track down those responsible and if anyone has any information regarding this theft we would appreciate it."

Ward Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said he had spoken to a resident recently who had described the shuttlebus service as a 'godsend'.

"It's appalling that a vital service has been removed by people who think that all they are doing is having a bit of fun and have not thought about the consequences of their actions," he said.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Combined Authority said today: “Rather than leave residents without a bus service, we can confirm the operator, Ladies Only Travel has drafted in a replacement bus which will be used until the regular low floor shuttle bus is repaired.”

Police said they were received an anonymous call at 9.23pm on Sunday to reports of the vehicle in Yewdall Way, Thorpe Edge.

A spokesman said the vehicle was abandoned in Greystone Crescent, the owners were contacted and the vehicle recovered.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The roadworks, being carried out by Keepmoat Housing, have closed Ranelagh Avenue for up to 12 weeks, and were expected to last until this week. This left the regular 645 service, operated by First, unable to run through the estate, so the temporary minibus service was provided instead.