A COUNCILLOR has appealed for the return of safety equipment stolen from her car.

Thieves smashed the back window of Cllr Jeanette Sunderland's silver Vauxhall Corsa and stole an open bag from the boot.

The stolen items include 22 high-visibility vests, two safety whistles, 25 feet of safety line and a pair of safety gloves.

The equipment was being used by volunteers who were helping to clear up the River Aire after the Boxing Day floods.

The incident took place at a car park at the junction of Harrogate Road and Killinghall Road in Undercliffe today at about 3.45pm.

Cllr Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle & Thackley) said: "The bag would have no value whatsoever. It just has safety equipment.

"I just want it returned and nothing more will be said on it.

"It has equipment which protects the lives of the volunteers. They have been using it to help clean up the River Aire after the floods."