Bradford family-run business heartbroken after minibus is targeted

Idle's Wiggles Play Space and Coffee Shop had its vehicle, parked in The George pub car park, damaged on Wednesday night.

Pictures show missing blindspot mirrors, panels and other parts leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive.

A damaged blind spot mirror (Image: Social media)

Owner Kim Rands said: "It looks like certain bits have been stolen to be used on another vehicle.

"When I saw the damage, I was just gutted because I know the parts will cost a fortune to replace.

"We are a small business so we do not have any spare money.

"The owners at The George have kindly allowed us to park our bus in their car park for the last year or so.

"It was good for advertising our business and the fact we do birthday parties.

"It is the children who will suffer the most because we will have to spend the money we usually spend on them to repair the bus."

One of the panels that were removed (Image: Social media)

The business opened on Town Lane in September 2020 as a little haven for children of all ages.

Wiggles use the bus every day to facilitate before and after-school clubs.

A post on Wiggles Play Space & Coffee Shop's Facebook page read: "Small businesses are really struggling at the moment, so to come to work this morning to find our minibus with all of this damage is just heartbreaking.

The back bumper was also targeted (Image: Social media)

"As many of you know, The George pub kindly let us park our minibus in their car park and up until now we have never had any issues.

"We will be checking CCTV and passing it on to the police but if anyone knows anything please do let us know.

"It is an expense we could definitely do without." 

Another one of the panels that was reportedly stolen (Image: Social media)

Wiggles includes a sensory room, two rooms with various toys and activities, plus a garden with a mud kitchen, water and sand play areas and a climbing fort.

While little ones can play and interact adults can enjoy a coffee and treat from the coffee shop.

Their play space is specifically designed with children aged 0-5 in mind. They also provide childcare for local schools in the Idle and Thackley area for children aged 3-11.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "We have recorded a crime of theft from a motor vehicle sometime between January 25 and 26 on Leeds Road, Idle."