A Bournemouth scout troop had its minivan stolen from Wimborne in the early hours of Monday morning. 

8th Bournemouth Scout troop has been left upset after the vehicle was stolen from Canford Business Park, Wimborne, at around 12.30am on February 26. 

Group scout leader David Hart, 73, has been left frustrated by the incident and the impact it could have on his troops activities. 

He said: "The money side of it is immaterial to me as the impact it has on the youngsters and how it limits them if they want to go places and do adventures. I come from an inner London scout group and we never had a minibus because there was nowhere to park it. 

"When you get to this age, you accept that there things happen because there are people who don't value things like we do. We'll carry on doing the stuff we do and we'll adapt and plan accordingly." 

8th Bournemouth Scouts is home to 91 members who range from Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers. 

A large troop, the loss of the minibus has an inevitable impact on costs for the group. 

David said: "We loan the minibus to other sections within the movement. Some of the Explorer scouts were supposed to be using it this coming weekend and that will impact them. 

"We've got to suffer either a financial penalty of trying to find a minibus to hire which won't be easy when you're coming up to camping season."

Hopeful the minibus may be found, David has set realistic hopes if it will be recovered. 

A white Ford 17-seater minibus, David has asked people to keep an eye for it but is aware it is in sea of other vehicles that fit the description. 

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police received a report at around 5.30pm on Monday 26 February 2024 of the theft of a minibus from Canford Business Park in Magna Road, Wimborne.

"The incident is reported to have occurred at around 12.40am on Monday 26 February 2024. Officers will be carrying out enquiries into this matter. No arrests have been made."