Fred the tuk-tuk that vanished outside its owner’s home in east London has been found—but not with the “fairy tale” ending she hoped for.
The three-wheeled ‘scooter’ van more commonly used in India which Em Herriott uses on her coffee sales round, had been stolen from outside her home.
But it was located this week by sharp-eyed Newham Recorder readers.
The paper was contacted by a reader who saw her appeal to find Fred with the online hashtag #findfred saying that it had been dumped in Ravenscroft Close, Canning Town, just off the A13 Newham Way.
Em realised the vehicle, which was recovered by police, was almost unrecognisable when it was found on Tuesday. It had been vandalised and for some reason sprayed black.
The 31-year-old entrepreneur, who runs her ‘We Are Here’ mobile coffee stall business from her home in Leyton, received an overwhelming response from readers in Canning Town where Fred ended up.
She said on her ‘We Are Here’ facebook page: “This has been a wild week. You’ve shown so much love and support. It’s been absolutely incredible, but I’m sad to say Fred did not get his ‘fairy tale’ ending’.”
The matter is now in the hands of the police and her insurance company, she adds, because of the damage to Fred and his trailer rooftop that’s been stolen.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here