HEARTLESS thieves have stolen a memorial bench from the garden of a home for disabled people in Bournemouth.

Residents and staff at Shaftesbury Court, Wimborne Road, were shocked to discover the seat, placed in memory of a former resident, had been taken in an overnight raid.

Mahdy Haghani, one of the residents, told the Daily Echo: "It feels horrible because the bench is for everyone the home, we all use it.

"All the clients and the staff use it, this is our home and we want to be comfortable.

"I am in a wheelchair, but we would sit out there on the bench and have a chat. We don't want to have to worry all the time that someone is going to steal something.

"I don't want this to happen again to someone else."

This is not the first time the home, which caters for around 20 people between the ages of 18 and 65 with physical disabilities and mental health issues, has been the victim of crime.

In 2016 the resource centre on site was targeted and a Wii games console and games, a DVD player and DVDs was taken. On that occasion some of the items had been donated by the family of a man who had passed away just weeks earlier.

On the bench theft, a source close to the home said: "The resident all know it has gone, they have kept the maintenance up of the bench – with the help of staff –regularly.

"A lot of work goes into their gardens, they are proud of their gardens and work had with the support of the team here.

"They use the gardens at day and at night, it is part of their home."

Since the theft, which took place sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning, a JustGiving site has been established by Joanne Oldale, who fought unsuccessfully as Labour candidate for the Kinson ward in this month's BCP Council elections. Since the online fundraiser was launched, enough money has been raised to replace the bench.

The source said: "I think a special thanks must be given to Joanne.

"But as much as it is nice that money has been raised to replace it, this will not be the same memorial bench in memory of the resident."

Dorset Police confirmed an investigation has been launched.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55190074830