IT IS a “despicable crime” that has robbed an elderly widower of his independence.

Twice a week 95-year-old John Benson would use his mobility scooter to head down to Barton where he could enjoy the fresh air on the beach.

But the pensioner from New Milton has been forced to give up his treasured visits to the shore after his mobility scooter was stolen by thieves who cut through a steel padlock to get to it.

With both keys to the vehicle still in his pocket, the retired engineer, who suffers from arthritis, spoke of his shock at discovering his Freerider Mayfair scooter had been snatched from its storage area.

He said: “I have both keys to the scooter so I am left wondering how they took it away.

“They must have used a truck or something. I’m not sure why they would do this or why they would just take mine.

“I always use it to head down to the beach. It is just too far for me to walk, so I can’t go there without my scooter. It takes me about 20 minutes to get there on the scooter but if I had to walk it would take me more than an hour and I just wouldn’t make it.

“I’ve had it now for three years and I would really like it back.”

The scooter had been locked securely in its usual storage area, along with two other mobility scooters belonging to other residents at Homehill House, a warden-controlled block, on Station Road.

The thieves cut through the padlock, which held two metal gates together, at the back of the block of flats but only took Mr Benson’s vehicle – which is worth several hundred pounds.

Investigating officers are now trawling through CCTV footage from the surrounding areas in the hope of finding those responsible, while looking to see if anyone can loan Mr Benson a mobility scooter while their hunt continues.

PC Dan Buck, who is investigating the theft, said: “This is a despicable crime that has robbed an elderly man of his vital lifeline.

“I would urge whoever has done this to give back the mobility scooter or call 101 to tell us where it is and we can go and pick it up for Mr Benson.”

Anyone with information about the theft should contact PC Buck at Lymington police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.