Fuel theft from Felthorpe coach company affects schoolchildren
More than 400 pupils in Norfolk had to find another way to get to school after thieves tampered with a fleet of coaches.
Staff arrived at People Movers in Felthorpe to find the padlock cut off the gate and pipes and fuel caps lying on the ground.
Coaches to Aylsham High, Broadland High, Framlingham Earl High, Hobart High and Buxton Primary were affected.
Fuel had been siphoned out of at least three of the vehicles, the firm said.
Police were called to the scene, Norfolk Police confirmed.
'Hit the family'
Julie Harvey, who owns People Movers with her husband Mark, said they estimated the theft cost the firm about £1,000 for each vehicle.
They were also unable to run the coaches because they needed to make sure they were safe.
She said: "There wouldn't have been enough time to do safety checks.
"You don't know what they might have put in the tanks."
Mrs Harvey hoped they would be able to do the normal school run later.
"We're a small business... it's hit the whole family," she added.