UPDATE:Gwent Police have found the minibus. A Gwent Police spokesperson said:"Yesterday, the vehicle was believed to have been located and forensic examinations are now taking place."Enquiries are on-going at this time and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log: 597 08/03/17.’UPDATE ENDCHEPSTOW and District Mencap Society has been devastated by the theft of a minibus that was used for a community gardening project.

The white vehicle with the registration BJ60 BSZ was stolen from The Berkley centre, where the group operates from, on Wednesday, 8th March between 8.45pm and 9.05pm.

The minibus was also full of the equipment used by the project including high-viz jackets, overalls, safety goggles, work gloves, some spades, hoes and crow bars.

Manager at The Berkley, Karen Meade said the loss would really hurt the group.

“It has devastated us a bit, we have got a group of people with learning disabilities who use the bus to cut the lawns of pensioners in the area and paint their fences. They do that around Chepstow, Caldicot and Magor.

“It is also used for community projects, yesterday they were cutting the the lawns at Caldicot Castle.”

Alongside this, the gardening project also has paid contracts with local community centres which helps to fund the project.

According to Mrs Meade the service doesn’t just help out the community, but plays an important role for the participants.

She said: “It gives them a sense of self worth, they see this as their chance to do some work. They won’t be able to do that now, it will have a big impact it has already taken a lot away from the community spirit.”

Mrs Meade believed the theft may have been pre planned as CCTV footage from a neighbouring building showed two people parking nearby but only one leaving at the time it was taken.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the Berkley centre on 01291 623216.