Brazen thief steals buses from station and damages others

POLICE are hunting for a large luminous green bus that was stolen in broad daylight.

It was last spotted near Hotel Barcelona in Magdalen Street, Exeter, on Sunday afternoon but has not been seen since, despite the police helicopter being scrambled to join in the search.

It was one of two buses stolen within the space of half an hour from alongside the bus station in Paris Street.

It is thought the same man, described as thin and dressed all in black, was behind both thefts.

The first bus to go was a single-decker, which was driven away at around 5pm on Sunday.

There were no passengers on board. It was later found empty and abandoned in Western Road, St Thomas, with its engine still running and its indicators flashing. It is believed the driver ran off.

Police were called by a bemused member of the public and in turn alerted bus company Stagecoach, which sent out a driver to bring its bus back home.

Then at 6.05pm, police were told that a green training coach belonging to Stagecoach had been taken from the bus depot.

The bus struck six other buses as it made its exit, causing hundreds of pounds of damage and forcing the vehicles out of service for repairs.

A police spokesman said: "The bus was described as being 30ft long and green with a big 'L' on the back and on both sides."

The Devon and Cornwall police helicopter was scrambled and officers began examining CCTV footage.

The green bus was spotted near Hotel Barcelona but after that disappeared from view and has not been seen since.

Richard Stevens, operations manager for Stagecoach, said: "This is absolutely deplorable behaviour and there is nothing funny about it at all.

"It is the damage that has been caused and the inconvenience of losing our training bus. It is still missing."

It is understood the missing bus is a veteran of long service which was due for retirement.

The force spokesman said police are linking the two incidents.

"There do seem to be certain similarities," he said.

Anyone who spots a luminous green bus with 'L's on its rear and sides is asked to contact their local police station or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.