A former victim of domestic violence watched in tears as a thief rode off on her electric bike, which she says had helped her regain her freedom.

Gillingham resident Jennifer Salter had lost all confidence in the wake of the long-running manipulation and physical abuse she endured at the hands of her former partner – but family and friends clubbed together to buy her the powered cycle last year, to help her overcome her fear of travelling in public.

But she watched her new lease of life disappear before her eyes when it was stolen on Monday this week from outside the vets where she works in Copenhagen Road, Gillingham.

"Money was raised for it through a fundraising page, because I was a victim of domestic violence in 2020 – my ex partner is currently in prison," she explained. "It left me fearful.

"I work full time but I now live on my own for the first time. I was fearful of leaving the house to walk anywhere or to use public transport.

"I can't afford any other means of travel – learning to drive is expensive, as is running a car, so my family and friends came up with the idea of the electric bike.

"The electric bike gave me more confidence and freedom to get about.

"I got it in December and go everywhere on it – I go shopping on it and it's got a basket on the back for the dogs.

"Now I feel like people do when they have their car taken away – I feel lost without it."

The white Assist electric bike is worth around £500, and was stolen along with a helmet and basket.

Although she says she feels naive to have left the bike unlocked in the vets' car park, she says it was a private car park and the bike was left right next to the reception where she works.

And she described the moment she realised it was being stolen and confronted the thief.

"I've got a window right by reception, and in the corner of my eye I saw some movement, but I didn't think anything of it because quite often there's a cat that goes across. Then I saw the guy on my bike coming back the other way past the window. He was all in black and wearing a balaclava.

"He stopped temporarily in the car park, and I went running out saying 'give me back my bike'. As soon as he saw me he started running. He started pedalling really fast but the stand was still down, but then he got round the corner. I stopped running and cried.

"The initial reaction was just shock, my mouth dropped and I couldn't believe it. Once it was gone I was so upset. I actually feel quite violated. I know in the great scheme of life it's just a bike, but in that moment I just couldn't believe it. As I was running towards him asking for my bike back he could have got off and run off, but he just didn't care. How can someone just not care?"

Jennifer described the thief as slim, aged 16 to 22, and dressed all in black with a balaclava.

She has also appealed on Facebook for the return the bike – stating that 'no questions need to be asked' and the police don't need to be involved.

But police have also been informed.

"I just want my bike back, and to start using it again," she added. "After everything I went through, I had just started building up my confidence and started to feel free to go outside."

Nevertheless Jennifer said she remains determined to continue on the road to recovery from domestic violence, adding: "I could let this put me a step back but I won't let it."

Officers are investigating the theft of a white electric bike from a private car park in Copenhagen Road, Gillingham, at 4.15pm on Monday, March 28.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/58019/22 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the online form on its website.