Published: Friday, 14th November, 2008 2:57pm

Charity work in Africa under threat after train theft

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THIEVES have stolen a vital car part bound for a charity mission in Zambia.

The rear differential was stolen from a train travelling between Wolverhampton and Reading on Monday (10), some time between 1 and 3.30pm.

Steve Langdon, director of Shrewsbury-based charity Self Help Africa, said: "We are very upset, everyone had worked so hard to get this crucial car part out to Africa. British Airways had kindly offered to provide free luggage allowance for it - without it we will not be able to reach the communities we work with to carry out vital training and evaluation."

British Transport Police are investigating the apparent theft from the 1.12pm service from Wolverhampton, which called at Birmingham New Street, Leamington Spa, Banbury and Oxford. The car part was packed away in a large dark-blue trolley case with brown packing tape in the luggage vestibule, and is needed to repair a Ford Ranger that is being used in remote rural areas of Zambia. Without it the vehicle is useless.

Sgt John Angell said: "Reducing theft of property from passengers is a key priority for British Transport Police and it is particularly concerning that this theft is now impacting on aid work in Zambia."

Anyone with details should contact police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident number 413 of 11/11/08, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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