A mum says thieves have taken away her 'lifeline' after stealing her mobility scooter.

Astra Cole's scooter was taken from outside her home in Marshall Street, Folkestone on Thursday.

Since then she has been trapped inside as her severe fibromyalgia makes it hard for her to walk, leaving her in pain and with fatigue.

It means she cannot take her children to school, or to the nearby park.

Mum-of-five Miss Cole, 27, said: "It is my lifeline and only way to get outside.

"I am housebound without it.

"I can't even take my kids to school or the park at the end of the road. I struggle to walk around the house let alone outside.

"My partner is having to do everything for now.

"It is basically like they have taken my legs."

The machine, an I-Go Vertex Sport, is usually carried inside by Miss Cole's partner. But the day it was taken it was left outside the family home in a hidden spot, while the battery had been brought inside by Miss Cole's partner, so it could be charged.

Her partner also took the wheels off, with the view this would hinder anyone from taking it.

Miss Cole added: "Police believe it was a scrap man that took it illegally without permission as my partner had brought the back wheels and battery inside to charge.

"Since asking for help on Facebook, I have heard about many thefts of things from people's properties, but nothing as disgusting as stealing from a disabled person."

'I can't even take my kids to school or the park at the end of the road...'

The theft was reported to the police but with no "relevant lines of enquiry" the case has been closed.

Miss Cole says she is disappointed: "They didn't even ask our neighbours if they had seen anything or take a description. I feel let down."

A Go Fund Me page has now been launched to help buy a new scooter, costing £799.

So far, £120 has been raised.

To donate, visit here.

Chief Inspector Alice Ames, district commander for Folkestone and Hythe, said the "impact of unsolved crimes is not lost on officers".

She said: "At 1.50pm on Thursday, June 10, Kent Police received a report that a mobility scooter had been stolen from Marshall Street, Folkestone.

"The theft is believed to have taken place in the hour before the report was received.

"Initial investigations have been unable to identify any relevant lines of enquiry and no arrests have been made at this time.

"The impact of unsolved crimes is not lost on officers and whilst this particular case has been filed, should further information come to light it will be assessed and handled appropriately and that is why anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/101454/21.

"You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the anonymous online form."

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