A community carer was unable to get to her appointments after her electric bike, which she had spent a year saving for, was stolen while on shift.

Karan Lovell was visiting a client on Saturday at around 4pm when she locked her new bike against a post with a chain and padlock in Invicta Road, Sheerness.

The 54-year-old wasn't gone for more than 20 minutes but when she returned the bike was missing, along with the padlock.

Karan said: "It's annoying I had to lose shifts because some low-life stole my bike.

"I had three jobs left on Saturday and another seven on Sunday. I only managed to do two of them.

"This week I have also had to cancel all my shifts in Minster."

The care worker relies on her bike to get around the Island as she is unable to drive.

The woman, of Newcomen Road, had only had the bike, which cost her £1,000, for about five months before it was stolen.

She continued: "For my job I have to travel around the whole Island and the easiest way I found to do that is with a bike.

"The night of the crime I didn't sleep a wink.

"I had to phone my manager to say due to the stress I wasn't feeling well."

When Karan noticed the bike was taken she called the police but is yet to hear from them about any developments.

She said: "People shouldn't be able to get away with this. It's happening more and more on the Island but we don't see any police here.

"On the phone they said to me 'Do you have anyone that can drive you round to locate it?'

"Is the community having to do their job now?"

A police spokesman said: "Inquiries into the incident are continuing and anybody with information is urged to call Kent Police on 01795 419119, quoting reference 14-0888.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or by using the online form on their website."

For now Karan has had to fork out £650 for another bike to get her to her daily shifts.

She has since set up a GoFundMe page to try to get back some of her money she has had to pay out and has so far raised £70.

The carer has been in the industry for more than 36 years with the last 10 as a community carer.

She said: "It's hard work, not just physical but mental too. But it's the job I love and when someone takes the ability to do it away from me I don't know what to do.

"It's not just about the money, without my bike I wouldn't be able to do what I love."