THE owner of a coffee business has been left devastated after the van from which he operates was stolen.

Ajay Phakey distributes beans and travels to events for his Third Wave Coffee Roasters in a blue Ford Transit van.

However, the theft of the vehicle is currently under police investigation after it was taken from Ajay's Bingley address on Thursday night.

The business owner was set to attend the Baildon Farmers Market this weekend but that is now not possible meaning he will miss out on valuable income.

He said: "My van was outside on the pavement. I never heard or saw anything until this morning.

"I still have both keys so somebody has obviously broken into it.

"My neighbours have CCTV but it is too far away to pick up any faces in the van as it is being driven off

"Fortunately I don't carry that much stock during the week, so it was just one of my coffee grinders and other bits."

Ajay added: "Nobody can foresee something like this happening but it has so I now have to speak to the police and the insurance company. 

"It was my only vehicle which I work out of.

"I still have the equipment to put up my stall, just not the vehicle to get there."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Baildon Farmers MarketBaildon Farmers Market (Image: Social media)

The Farmers Market takes place today from 9am until 1pm in the Ian Clough car park in the centre of Baildon village.

The event attracts large numbers of shoppers. Between 20 and 30 stallholders - some of whom have been trading at the market since it began - sell fresh Yorkshire produce that they've grown, reared, baked or otherwise made themselves.

Yesterday on a Facebook post, the market said: "Awful news!

"Last night, the van of lovely stallholder Ajay, of Third Wave Coffee Roasters, was stolen, with all his coffee equipment inside.

"It was stolen in Bingley and is a blue Ford Transit, reg BD66 LTY, so keep your eyes peeled.

"This of course means that Ajay will not be at the market tomorrow - we are presently looking for a temporary coffee stand-in."

A police spokesperson said: "That crime reference number (13220525280) relates to the theft of a motor vehicle at Longwood Avenue (Bingley) on September 22 between 8.45 and 9.15pm.

"Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area is asked to contact police via the live chat options at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting 13220525280"