All outings for a group of disabled and old people have been cancelled thanks to the action of callous thieves, who stole a minibus from outside an old people’s care home.

The theft is also going to make visits to doctors and hospital more difficult for residents at both Roselands and Roseacre homes in Banstead.

The £40,000 vehicle is a lifeline for the 80 pensioners who live in the two residential homes who use it for trips to the shops and outings.

Chairman of the charity that runs the Rose Homes, Mike Stevens, said: “The theft is a partcularly callous act perpetrated towards frail and elderly people for whom the opportunity of our weekly trips out for cofee to the coast and to places of interest means so much.

“It is also used to transport them to hospital and for medical appointments.

“At the end of a recent trip to the coast, a 102 year-old resident was so moved as to comment she had never expected to see the sea again.

“For the time being, we shall have to stop all of the weekly outings and at least four other special days out have had to be cancelled."

The theft of the vehicle from outside Roselands in Garrattts Lane on August 26 between 8pm and midnight has meant boat trips and other planned treats have been cancelled.

The white Mercedes minibus, which is specially adapted to take wheelchairs and has a wheelchair lift, was recorded by an automatic number plate recognition camera on the A217 heading south.

The vehicle is insured, but home manager Sandy Parr fears that the amount likely to be paid up by the insurance company might not be enough to buy a replacement vehicle.

She said: “We bought it new for £40,000 after we were given a legacy 12 years ago.

"It is still in very good condition but I don’t know what the insurance people are likely to pay out for a vehicle that age.

"We might have to pay £60,000 for a new one.

“Our residents are very upset about this – they just can’t believe it. There are some really horrible people about.”

She is hoping that the minibus which is signwritten Rose Homes – with a rose logo on it, may have been dumped.

If anyone has seen the vehicle or can help the police track down the culprits call Surrey police on 0845 125 2222.