Family on Holiday Devastated as Specially Designed Mobility Van Gets Stolen
A family’s holiday turned into a nightmare when their specially designed mobility van was stolen while they were sleeping at a holiday park. Emma Carpenter and her family had been enjoying a two-week getaway at her parents’ caravan in Rockley Park, Poole. However, their blue Ford Transit van, essential for accommodating the needs of her three children with disabilities, was taken during the night.
Emma, a devoted mother of seven, woke up on August 22 to the shocking discovery. She immediately sought help from the on-site security, who unfortunately denied her access to the CCTV footage but assured her of their assistance. Distressed and determined to resolve the situation, Emma promptly contacted the police and Motability, a charity that leases vehicles for disabled individuals.
Since the theft, the Carpenter family has been unable to fully enjoy their holiday and has remained confined to the park. Plans for visiting attractions such as Splashdown at Tower Park and a day trip to the beautiful Sandbanks had to be canceled. Most significantly, the stolen van primarily served Emma’s 11-year-old son Toby, who suffers from M.E. and relies on a power chair for mobility. The vehicle was specifically equipped with a ramp to facilitate Toby’s access.
Emma, who works in a specialist school and hails from Bath, expressed her devastation, stating, It has completely ruined our holiday. Our parents have owned a caravan here since 1994, and we always used to call this our happy place, but we can’t call it our happy place anymore. The incident has had a particularly profound impact on Toby, who actively participated in selecting the van’s color and was eager to exercise his independence.
Dorset Police has confirmed that they are actively investigating the theft, although no arrests have been made thus far. A spokesperson for the police stated, Dorset Police received a report at 9.10 am on Tuesday 22 August 2023 of the theft of a van from Rockley Park in Napier Road, Poole. The theft occurred between 12.30 am and 9 am on the same day.
The Carpenter family now fervently hopes for the safe return of their van, yearning to resume normal family activities and create cherished memories once again. Their joyful holiday experience has been overshadowed by this unfortunate incident, leaving the children especially upset. Emma appeals to anyone with information about the stolen blue Ford Transit van, which bears a distinctive scratch on its side, to come forward and assist in the recovery efforts.
The Carpenter family’s story serves as a reminder of the impact that such crimes can have on individuals and their families. Authorities are working diligently to apprehend those responsible and recover the stolen van, so the family can find solace and regain their sense of security.
