Heartless crooks stole my mobility vehicle
HEARTLESS crooks stole a mobility car used by a mum to transport her disabled daughter.
Nicola Swarbrick, of Haslingden, is devastated by the break-in in the early hours of October 2.
The specially adapted vehicle was the only method of transport Nicola has for her daughter, Chloe Fuller, who uses
an electric wheelchair.
It is understood a group of men turned up to the house in a silver Golf and forced their way in through a front window.
They took Nicola’s purse and her partner’s van keys, plus items from inside the van before fleeing in the black Volkswagen Caddy and the Golf.
The Volkswagen, registration LJ16 BZM, contained equipment needed to take Chloe, 20, to appointments. It was a hire car identical to Nicola’s per-
sonal mobility car, which was recently damaged and is expected to be out of action for weeks.
Nicola, 43, said it is not obviously a disabled car from the outside, but inside it has a blue badge, a ramp, and hoist.
She said: “I am hoping when they realise they could just leave it somewhere for us to find. The insurance company said it is going to possibly cost £400 in excess, plus another £100 on top.”
Nicola was asleep at the time of the break-in along with her partner and sons, six and 12. Without it she is relying on other people to give her lifts to hospital, where Chloe has been a patient for two months.
Chloe has an assistance dog Ted and their amazing relationship was featured in the Free Press last year. She is allowed time out of hospital once a week to attend agility training with her
beloved Springer Spaniel, but it will not be possible without the car.
Nicola added: “It gives her somewhere to go and do, stuck in hospital all of the time. But obviously we can’t do that now as I can’t get her there. I feel angry.”
Chloe has heart condition Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and conditions affecting her joints and stomach muscles.
Lancashire Police said the raid was between 11.30pm on October 1 and 4.10am on October 2.
A spokeswoman said: “They have stolen van keys, a purse, car keys, a DAB radio and a drill.”
The raiders were seen driving out of the area in the direction of Bury on traffic cameras while cigarettes and food from McDonald’s were purchased on Nicola’s bank card in the Radcliffe area.
Call police on 101 quoting log 184 of October 2.