A nan's electric bike was stolen from outside an Aldi supermarket in St Helens while she was shopping inside.
Tracy Loftus was shopping in Aldi at West Point at around 8.45pm on Monday, October 11, when her bike was stolen.
The St Helens woman suffers with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes pain all over the body, meaning she relies on her bike to be able to get around.
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Tracy told the ECHO: “I need it every day because of mobility issues - it's more than a bike and more than a scumbag stealing it."
The 51-year-old explained she was having a terrible day on Monday and had nipped to Aldi to get a bottle of wine as a pick-me-up.
She was in store for no longer than 15 minutes but on her return she was met by a vacant space where she had left the electric bike.
She said: “I have a lock that locks the wheels so I put that on my bike and parked it up.
“I saw the security guard when I went into the shop, went around and grabbed my things, paid then I went out and when I did I saw my bike had gone and I couldn’t see anybody or anything.
“I knew the wheel lock was on so they had to carry it and I have a feeling it was put in a van."
The stolen bike is described as a black Zipper ladies e-bike with basket and led indicators and built in stand.
Tracy, who lives on Campbell Street, added: “I struggle without the bike - I need it every day.
“It’s not just a bike to me, that’s what is upsetting me and even my daughter was saying ‘it’s not just a bike to you mum’ and it’s really not.
“I was just having a really bad day - it was just one of those days and then this happened.”
Tracy relies on a number of adaptations for everyday living including relocating to an adapted house in August this year that features a stairlift and a wet room - and her bike was another device that allows her to get around.
Tracy has had the bike for two years and it is the only way that she can visit her daughter. She said the theft has left her 'anxious'.
Tracy is begging anyone who saw anything in the area to help her get the bike back.
She has since posted about the loss on Facebook and received support from people which she said reminded her "there are a lot of good people in the world."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the ECHO: “We were contacted at 9.20pm last night, Monday 11th October, following reports a secured electric Zipper bike had been stolen from outside a supermarket on Highpoint in St Helens between 9.05pm and 9.20pm.
“Anyone with information can DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 21000707507.”
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