Thieves have stolen scores of mobility scooters from homes and locations across Cumbria in the last five years.

This crime, shown within information revealed by police in Cumbria, was described as the act of stealing someone's independence by one victim.

Liz Brown, 73, from Denton Holme, in Carlisle, has had two mobility scooters stolen - one from outside her home and another from outside Opera Bingo in Denton Street last year - incidents she said had left her 'bereft'.

"It's disgusting," Mrs Brown added.

"One was stolen from outside my house but the police found it later that day.

"The other one was taken from outside bingo.

"It was parked with three others but it was targeted, I'm sure, because it was top of the range.

"When I came out I almost fainted. I was bereft.

"It's an absolutely appalling thing to do. I don't know how anyone could stoop so low."
Mrs Brown was forced to buy a replacement mobility scooter using her own funds or face being unable to leave the house on her own.

Disability awareness champion and mobility scooter user Margaret Burrow MBE, from Barrow, said she believed the perpetrators did not consider the impact their act had on people who relied on the vehicle to maintain their freedom.
Margaret Burrow (CEO) of Barrow Disability Advice and Benefits Service, in Barrow.

Mrs Burrow, secretary of Barrow and District Disability Association, added: "It's such a nasty thing to do, it's below the belt to take something like this away from a disabled person.

"It often comes down to awareness. These people don't think about what they are doing to a vulnerable person."

There have been 347 incidents in total involving mobility scooters reported to police in the last five years.