A businessman who runs an inflatables entertainment company has been left devastated after tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of equipment was stolen.
A van belonging to Mega Inflatables, containing an estimated £30,000 worth of equipment, was taken from an address on Saturday night.
The firm hires out bouncy castles, assault courses, and other inflatable games for events across Essex.
Callum Everitt, 27, manager of Mega Inflatables has offered a £500 reward for anyone who can help track down the van.
Mr Everitt was shocked to find the white Citroen Relay van,had been stolen from Barnard Road in Chelmsford, forcing him to cancel events.
A children’s activity day at Colchester’s Charter Hall on Sunday was cancelled.
Parents said the news of the theft and event cancellations left their children in tears.
Mr Everitt said: “We had over 600 children booked in for the event at Charter Hall throughout the day, and we had children with special needs coming down as well.
“We’ve built this business up since 2007 and we have never experienced anything like this before.
“We’re devastated.”
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The van, which has a registration place of MF14 VMJ, was last seen on Watchouse Road in Chelmsford.
Although the vehicle did have a tracking device installed, the thieves removed it at just after 11pm on Saturday night.
Mr Everitt added: “We’ve had a witness come forward to tell us where the van went – and we know it was being followed by a white Ford Fiesta.”
Mr Everitt, along with the owner of Mega Inflatables, Mike Tydeman have enlisted The Only Way is Essex’s Lucy Mecklenburgh and former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas to help publicise the search on social media.
Mr Everitt has also offered a £500 reward for anyone who can give information to find the van.
“Little bits of information can go a long way,” he said.
“People don’t realise that this is children’s bit of fun and we’re just a family-friendly company – it’s devastating.”
A police stateament on the incident read: "We are investigating the theft of a van which was reported to us on Sunday 20 February.
"The vehicle, a white Citroen, was parked in St Michaels Walk at the junction with Barnard Road, in Chelmsford, when it was stolen between 10pm on February 19 and 7.30am on February 20.
"No arrests have been made and our enquires are ongoing.
"We need anyone with information on the incident, including dash cam and doorbell footage of the area to submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk/ or use the live chat function which is available between 7am and 11pm.
"You can also call us on 101.
"Please quote incident 42/44100/22."
Information can be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555111.
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