POLICE are appealing for witnesses after thieves stole a mobility scooter from outside the home of an 89 year old great granddad.

Gordon England, 89, bought the scooter seven months ago when he struggled to walk distances and on uneven footpaths and was overjoyed to find it gave him back the freedom to go out with his wife Evelyn.

Mr England, a former Hereward School caretaker, said: “I bought the scooter in January and it gave me my independence, it was our life, without it I am severely restricted.”

Three days before the scooter was wrenched from its locked parking spot on Mr England’s drive, the couple had enjoyed a family day trip to London to celebrate Mrs England’s 87th birthday.

“We would go out shopping, to bowls, just generally day to day things, getting about, it was fantastic.

“Waking up in the morning and seeing it gone was heartbreaking.

Mr England is urging other people with scooters to keep them well locked up and secure, as for many people replacing a scooter is a painful process of waiting for insurance payments to come through.

“Thieves must realise stealing something like this could ruin a person’s life,” he said.

Police are appealing for information about the thieves that stole the scooter from Mr England’s home at Maple Grove, March.

The locked maroon Sapphire LS2 was taken from the couple’s car port overnight on Monday August 5.

PCSO Rachael Cheverton said: “I’d like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or has been offered this scooter for sale.

“A man, described as white, six foot, medium build, in his 20s and wearing dark trousers, a tracksuit top and cap was seen in the area and we would urge him to come forward as he may have information which could assist with our enquiries.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.