A CHARITY is “over the moon” after its stolen minibus was found less than 24 hours after being stolen.

Staff and supporters of Chepstow and District Mencap Society have said they are baffled at discovering the stolen minibus intact and its contents still inside after it was taken.

The charity had its white minibus stolen from its base at The Berkeley centre in Station Road, Chepstow on Wednesday.

It then turned up in a residential street on Thursday.

Mencap society – which provides support to people with learning difficulties -–uses the bus daily for clients, who go out with staff on various projects such as cutting lawns for elderly people.

Karen Meade, service manager at The Berkeley, said a number of community activities had been cancelled as result of the theft.

She said: “The bus is used every day and we had no other transport to carry out projects.

“It is really sad as we have had to cancel appointments for things, such as helping elderly people have their lawns cut.

“We were planning on clearing the pathways at Caldicot Castle but that had to be cancelled because we couldn’t get there.”

Miss Meade said that the theft of the vehicle had caused “upset” among clients.

She said: “People are very upset about what happened. Some are also confused.

“I think the main thing now is that we get back into the community and start doing what we’ve always done.”

The charity said it received a phone call on Thursday, March 9 from a woman, who said that she had spotted the stolen minibus abandoned in a cul-de-sac.

“Obviously we were ecstatic when he heard,” said Miss Meade. “Our clients were so happy because we will be able to get back into the community.”

However Miss Meade said that the charity is still baffled as to why the minibus was stolen.

“When police called telling us that the minibus had been found we were thrilled,” said Miss Meade. “But we were, and still are, very confused by what happened.

“None of us can work out why our minibus was targeted and stolen.”

Alice James, whose relative is a client with the charity, echoed similar feelings.

She said: “I’m baffled by the whole situation. I think it’s dreadful that someone would steal something from a charity.

“This charity has done wonders for the area and that could have stopped because of the theft.”

A spokeswoman from Gwent Police confirmed the theft of the vehicle on Station Road.

She said: “The vehicle was believed to have been located and forensic examinations are now taking place.

“Inquiries are on-going at this time and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log: 597 08/03/17.”

For more information on the charity, visit chepstowmencap.btck.co.uk