DISABLED passengers faced being stranded after thieves tried to steal fuel from the Chiltern Dial-a-Ride service vehicle at the height of the petrol crisis.

DISABLED passengers faced being stranded after thieves tried to steal fuel from the Chiltern Dial-a-Ride service vehicle at the height of the petrol crisis.

Vandals smashed the petrol gap of the minibus and left a trail of fuel across the floor.

Pauline Wilkinson, a founder member of the Chiltern Dial-a-Ride, which provides a lifeline for disabled people in the district, said she was sickened by the raid.

She added: 'It is absolutely unspeakable that anyone could do something like this when it is obviously a vehicle used for disabled people.

'It even has ambulance written on the side of it. I just find it sickening.

'They had obviously hit it hard with something because they damaged the area around the petrol cap before it came off, and the fuel was all over the floor.'

The bus, which takes passengers to social events and provides a service for regulars such as the blind bowls club, had been parked at Chesham Methodist Church, in Bellingdon Road, when the thieves struck.

A parishioner had spotted the damage to the vehicle on Sunday morning and Mrs Wilkinson was called out.

She said: 'It very nearly mucked things up and passengers could have been left stranded. Fortunately we managed to carry out temporary repairs and carry on with the service, but it's just the inconvenience.

'The drivers have already had to put up with the petrol problems and roadworks so it has been hard enough to get to appointments on time.'

Brian Richards, co-ordinator for the service, said they had to pay to fix the damage and replace the keys which were used for the petrol cap.

He added: 'Fortunately we managed to keep the service going for our customers, but it is no help to them.'

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Amersham police on (01494) 465888