A charity which supports elderly people has said it is "absolutely gutted" after one of its service vans was broken into and its tools stolen.

Harmony House, based in Baden Powell Close, Dagenham, had "up to £1,500 worth" of tools stolen at a home visit in Barking on Tuesday, November 5.

As well as running three nurseries, the charity supports older people in Barking and Dagenham by running a handyman service and fitting grab rails to improve home safety.

It was at one of these visits to fit a grab rail at a customer's house that someone drilled through the lock on the back door of the charity's van - and stole hundreds of pounds worth of tools.

Someone drilled a hole in the lock system of the van to steal from the charitySomeone drilled a hole in the lock system of the van to steal from the charity (Image: Harmony House)

Bee Whitaker, chief executive of Harmony House, called the incident "distressing" and "shocking".

She said: "We've been doing work in the community since 1993 and this is the first time that anything like this has ever happened.

"We are all quite shocked."

MOST READ: Billingsgate and Smithfield markets move to Dagenham is off

The tools are "essential" to Harmony House's work, and the incident will cost the charity not only in terms of replacing the stolen items but also in cancelled appointments that are "critical" for the vulnerable individuals it supports.

Harmony House discovered that hundreds of pounds worth of tools were stolenHarmony House discovered that hundreds of pounds worth of tools were stolen (Image: Harmony House)

Bee told this paper: "We've obviously had to cancel on a lot of customers and are not going to be able to fit their grab rails, which at this time of year when they are coming home with wet and slippery shoes from being out in the rain is awful timing.

"There is going to be around 30 members of the community that we would have otherwise been able to support and we haven't been able to go out to them."

She added that handyman Fin O'Connor, who was fitting a rail at the customer's home while the van was broken into, is "upset" over the ordeal.

He has driven the van for years and "loves going out and seeing everybody", but will not be able to do any of his normal jobs until the van is fixed and the tools are replaced.

Handyman Fin O'Conner was 'upset' over the theftHandyman Fin O'Conner was 'upset' over the theft (Image: Harmony House)

The charity is hoping to get the van fixed, but does not know how much it will cost to get a new lock system fitted.

Harmony House has already received "such an outpouring of love" from the community, including residents offering to lend their tools and checking in on handyman Fin.

READ MORE: Barking and Becontree leisure centres in cancer challenge

Bee said: "It's been really heart-warming during such a difficult time.

"We care so deeply about this community - we've been here for over 30 years now.

"Our nurseries and the support we offer for older people are a huge passion project for us, and we are just absolutely gutted this has happened."

Harmony House is based in Baden Powell Close, DagenhamHarmony House is based in Dagenham but supports the elderly across Barking and Dagenham and has a nursery in Hornchurch (Image: Harmony House)

The Met Police confirmed the report of the theft, but did not offer a further statement.

Harmony House offers a handyman service, a companions service to tackle loneliness, and conference facilities, as well as running nurseries in Dagenham, Castle Green and Hornchurch.

The charity urges anyone who wishes to support it after the theft to donate via https://harmonyhousedagenham.enthuse.com/donate.