A MINIBUS stolen from 1st Poulner Scout Group has been found in Chichester.

Police say at some stage between 6pm on Sunday January 30 and 7am the following morning the vehicle was stolen from a locked compound at the Scout Headquarters on Southampton Road in Ringwood.

However, officers have confirmed it was found abandoned and undamaged in Chichester - around 52 miles away - on Wednesday (February 2).

A statement posted on the Ringwood Police Facebook page said: "Through further police enquiries, including house-to-house enquiries, reviews of CCTV footage and searching the automatic number plate recognition system – the vehicle was tracked heading towards the Sussex area.

"Through the power of social media, the rightful owners of the minibus had posted an appeal to locate the vehicle and lo and behold, the vehicle was found undamaged but abandoned in Stockbridge Gardens in Chichester on Wednesday evening."

"Police enquiries remain ongoing at this time, in conjunction with Sussex Police, into the theft of the vehicle to identify those who are responsible and we will be seeking to bring them to justice for the crimes that they have committed.

"Thank you to all those local residents, and those in the Chichester area, who helped share the appeal and ultimately, locate a stolen vehicle."

 

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