AN elderly man has been left housebound after his mobility scooter was stolen from a bus stop in Christchurch.

The victim – a local man aged in his 90s – left the Shoprider scooter by the bus stop on Somerford Road, at the junction with Dennistoun Avenue, and got on the bus to go into the town centre.

When he returned it was gone.

Following CCTV enquiries, a man was seen nearby walking away with the scooter.

The theft happened at around 12.30pm on Tuesday, July 10.

Police Constable James Layfield, of Christchurch police, said kind-hearted locals had been delievering food and newspapers to the elderly man, but police are “determined to reunite him with his scooter”.

"The mobility scooter is the victim's only way of travelling around and he is housebound without it.”

He is urging anyone who knows the man pictured in the CCTV image, or has any knowledge of a scooter being put up for sale or offered in suspicious circumstances to contact Dorset Police.

"We continue to make active enquiries and I would also ask anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180108119. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.