An Edinburgh carer has been left devastated after the e bike she uses to travel to clients was cruelly stolen.
Joanna Grudzien is walking to and from appointments after the bike was taken from outside a property on West Savile Terrace in the Blackford area. It was locked up with a chain at the time.
Police say they are investigating the theft, which happened around 8pm on Monday.
Joanna (45) has been working as a carer in Edinburgh for the last seven years, providing an essential service to elderly people across the city.
However she's been left disheartened by this theft, and the cruelty of some people – particularly given the tough times we're all living through.
She told Edinburgh Live: "It's very wrong. My appointments are all in the one area but I use the bike to get from one client to the next. This is going to have a very big impact.
"I'm really angry. Not just because of the bike but because of the impact it is going to have on my work. It's important for my job.
"I can still see everybody but I've been walking [since Monday] and it's not easy."
She added: "I left the bike outside the house on West Savile Terrace on Monday, and I saw it was still there around 7.15pm. But when I went out again at around 20 to 8 it was gone – so somebody has taken it in that time. It is a black Carrera e bike."
Edinburgh Live was also contacted by the daughter of a woman Joanna cares for to express her disgust at the theft.
Hazel Ralston's 89-year-old mother Isobel has been visited by Joanna for a number of years, and she added: "She is a very caring lady who really goes above and beyond. My mum has been in hospital and she's worked so hard with my mum to get her back on her feet.
"I know how much losing her bike will have an impact, so anyone who can help should come forward."
Police say they are investigating the theft.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Police were called around 8pm on Monday, 22 March, 2021 following the theft of a bike from a property on West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh.
"Enquiries are currently ongoing."
