A former domestic violence victim says she is 'over the moon', following the return of a bike which helped her rebuild her life.

Jennifer Salter could only look on in tears last month, as a thief rode off on her electric bike outside the vets where she works in Copenhagen Road, Gillingham.

Appealing for its return, she said the £500 white Assist bike had been a gift from family and friends after she was abused by her former partner, and explained how it had helped her regain confidence to travel.

But this week she was overjoyed after receiving a call from police - who saw the bike being ridden in Gillingham High Street.

"I'm buzzing, I'm so happy," she said. "Everyone is in shock that it's happened and that I've got it back.

"I got a phone call yesterday afternoon from the police officer saying 'we think we have your bike, can you come down and check?'

"They were walking through the high street and there was a guy racing through on my bike – they recognised it was my bike from the article and stopped him."

"I went down to the police station and they came out with it. It's missing the basket and the helmet but as a whole it's all there intact and still in good condition."

Jennifer said both she and the police were surprised the bike hadn't been sold or resprayed, and had almost given up hope of its return.

Even before its return, she had been buoyed by the support she had received in the wake of the theft.

A number of people had offered to replace her bike, including Matthew Short, from Margate, who had the exact same model and handed it over to Jennifer only this week.

"I'm so over-the-moon," said Jennifer. "I was already over the moon that I had a replacement and how nice people had been. I was so so grateful, but to have the original bike back, I couldn't believe it."

"I've already told Matt and I'm going to arrange to return his bike, but I would still like people to know what he did. I was so grateful."

She also thanked Spencer Wood, who donated a GPS tracker and a security lock, along with others who had offered to donate bikes.

"So many people have reached out - even with just random messages of support."

But she said the return of the bike would never have happened without the article in the Medway Messenger and on KentOnline – and she thanked all those who had shared it to spread the word.

Kent Police confirmed the stolen bike had been returned to its rightful owner thanks to the efforts of the Medway Town Centre Team.

A statement added: "The white electric bike is reported to have been taken from a car park in Copenhagen Road, Gillingham, by two teenage boys at around 4.15pm on Monday March 28.

"The bike was recovered on the afternoon of Tuesday April 12, when officers on patrol noticed it being ridden by two teenage boys in Chatham High Street.

"Due to suspicions that the bike was stolen, officers seized the item so further enquiries could be completed at the station.

"These checks quickly led to officers identifying its rightful owner, and it was returned on Wednesday April 13.

"Two teenage boys have also been arrested and taken into custody while enquiries continue."