Mobility scooter theft

2013 has already seen many reports of mobility scooter theft. Thefts have been occurring in many places in the country, in areas such as Middlesbrough, Coventry and Weymouth. For those victims of mobility scooter theft, it can put their life on hold as they no longer have the ability to leave their homes and for many this is their only means of transport.

Don't fall victim to mobility scooter theft

Don’t fall victim to mobility scooter theft

Mobility scooters are being stolen from communal areas in blocks of flats and back gardens, highlighting the importance of mobility scooter security. It is unfortunate for these victims of theft that the mobility scooters are usually stolen by young vandals who just want a joy ride, while they are left house bound.

Mrs Cole from Weymouth who’s mobility scooter was stolen from her flat said “The scooter was my only form of transport and now I’m housebound. I can’t even take my dog out for a walk…. I don’t know what I’m going to do without it” The loss of a mobility scooter can have a devastating effect on someone’s life.

Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage

Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage

If you are concerned about the security of your mobility scooter and want to keep it safe, take a look at the Asgard Mobility Scooter Garage, designed to house your mobility scooter and keep it safe. Find out more about the mobility scooter garage from Asgard, on the Asgard website.

Mobility scooter security

 

Mobility scooters are of great importance to many people and are sometimes their only means of transportation. Having a mobility scooter or not, is the difference between being able to leave the house, or being trapped inside all day. If a mobility scooter is the only way for you to get around, then you’ll want to do your best to take care of it. Having somewhere secure to leave the unit is important as you don’t want it to be left outside waiting for thieves to find it. If you have a garage or a shed keep it locked up when not in use. This may seem like an obvious thing to do, but recent news articles have shown that not everyone takes that safety precaution.

 

 

A young woman in Carlisle was left virtually housebound after her mobility scooter was damaged by vandals.  Having left her mobility scooter outside, a group of thieves kicked down her garden fence and attempted to ride the scooter however they were unable to escape with it due to locked gates. Thieves made a second attempt at steeling the bike later that night in a different direction, but again were unable to exit thanks to cobbles and steps. The thieves abandoned the scooter in a neighbour’s garden. Although the scooter wasn’t stolen, it was left severely damaged and has left the owner of the scooter housebound. Read more>

Another incident occurred in Spalding this month. Cindy Maddison had left her mobility scooter in the landing of her apartment block, only for it to go missing. Cindy can only walk short distances and without her scooter she will have to rely on being driven around. Read more>

 

 

These thefts show that leaving your scooter anywhere that can be accessed by the public isn’t secure. To avoid ending up like these ladies, keep your mobility scooter locked up. Asgard mobility scooter storage is a metal security shed that will keep your mobility scooter safe from theft and vandalism. This unit is made from tough weatherproof steel, has reinforced doors and panels and is equipped with a tough 5 point pick resistant locking mechanism. It has an access ramp and is large enough for you to ride the scooter in and out of the unit. See full product details here>

 

 

 

Scooter theft leaves Wakefield disabled man prisoner

A disabled pensioner has been left housebound after his mobility scooter was stolen and trashed.  His mobility scooter, which gives him contact with the outside world, was stolen by heartless thieves, who then smashed it up and threw it into a nearby pond.   The 79-year-old suffers from a serious lung condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which means he cannot walk more than few steps without becoming out of breath.

Mobility Scooter Theft

Arthur Wheeler, 79 years old from Stanley, Wakefield, pictured with his wife Joan

Mr Wheeler and wife Joan, 77, woke up on Saturday morning to discover the scooter was missing.  Mrs Wheeler, of Balk Crescent, said: “We couldn’t believe it; I don’t know how anybody could stoop so low.  He relies on the scooter to get out of the house and he uses it every day to go up to the shop for his paper.”

The couple’s sons eventually found the scooter after searching the area around their home, dumped in a fishing pond near to his home in Stanley.
Using a lasso they dragged it out of the water but it had been damaged beyond repair.

But because the scooter had been parked outside the back of their bungalow at the time, it was not covered by insurance.

Mrs Wheeler, who also uses a mobility scooter, said: “Even a second-hand one would cost between £200 to £300, which is a lot of money.”

The theft happened sometime between last Friday evening and Saturday morning. Police investigations are on-going and officers want to speak to anyone who spotted anything suspicious.

Anyone with information should contact the North West neighbourhood police team on 0845 6060606, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

(Article Source: Wakefield Express News)

Prevent theft of your mobility scooter

If you rely on your mobility scooter to give you’re your independence, make sure you keep your mobility scooter safe and secure at all times by storing it inside a secure storage unit, such as the Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage Unit.

mobility scooter store

Store your Mobility Scooter in this secure outdoor Mobility Scooter Store from Asgard

Remember that even if your scooter is covered by Insurance, if the scooter is not stored with adequate security as per the Insurance policy, you may not be able to make a claim.  So by investing in a secure storage unit for the scooter – not only is it keeping it protected from theft and vandalism, it may also cover your Insurance policy security requirements.* (Please check with your Insurance Provider for more details before ordering.)

For more information on secure mobility scooter storage, see the Asgard Mobility Scooter product page here.

Scooter thieves rob disabled woman of her independence

A disabled woman says she has lost her independence after thieves stole her mobility scooter from the garden shed.

Margaret Murtough, 52, whose left leg was amputated last year, discovered the theft on Thursday morning.  The 52-year-old had been reliant on the scooter to get about since undergoing an operation on her ankle in 2005.

Mrs Murtough from Manchester whose leg was removed below the knee following complications, said: “The scooter was my independence. I suffer with back problems as well so I can’t go and walk around the supermarket. You can’t accept that someone has been into your property and taken something that doesn’t belong to them. It makes you so mad and frustrated.

Mobility scooter parked outside home

“I’m not going to get it back and it’s not covered by the insurance.”

The scooter had been stored in the shed for a few weeks as Mrs Murtough had been suffering from back pain and had been using a wheelchair to get around the house.  But now that the scooter has been stolen she says she must rely on her daughter, who works full time, to push her to the local shops in the chair.

She said: “We had put the scooter in a black bin bag and left it inside the shed for storage, thinking that it would be safe – obviously it wasn’t. How could someone steal a mobility scooter, you would think they would know it’s for a disabled person.”

She added: “It makes you feel more wary, even if you hear about a burglary at the neighbours. You don’t think it will happen to you.”

(Article Source: The Rochdale Observer )

Mobility / Disability Scooter Storage

mobility and disability scooter store

Protect your mobility Scooter with a specially designed Mobility Scooter Storage shed.

Don’t let it happen to you – Browse through the range of secure outdoor Mobility / Disability Scooter Storage Sheds from Asgard.

Top tips for staying safe on your scooter

Using a mobility scooter is a great way to stay independent and keep active out and about.  They are becoming more popular as people realise the benefits of using the vehicles to carry out day-to-day tasks, visit friends and family and retain their freedom. The chances are that you know someone who uses one or is considering becoming a user in the near future, or perhaps you are a user yourself.

Mobility scooter safety

Staying safe on board is essential to get the most out of your mobility scooter.

This is why Norfolk Constabulary have put together some top tips for mobility scooter safety:

Seek professional advice before making a purchase to ensure that the mobility scooter meets your individual needs and requirements.

Understand what all the switches and levers on your scooter do, and be confident that you can control it properly before you go outside on it for the first time.

Keep your scooter properly maintained and have it thoroughly checked. The manufacturer’s handbook will tell you how often to do this.

 Make sure your battery is kept fully charged. If you are storing the vehicle for long periods without use make sure the battery is recharged at least once a month.

Keep your personal possessions safe and secure and your valuables out of sight.

Do not overload your scooter with shopping or other goods or hand anything from the handlebars as this could make the scooter unstable and more difficult to control.

Pedestrians have the right of way. If you are riding on a pavement or footpath, give way to pedestrians. The top speed allowed is 4mph and even this may be too fast where there are pedestrians.

To drive on the road you need a vehicle (Class 3) that can travel at 8mph (12 km/h) or (Class 2) if there is no alternative. It must also have headlights, rear lights, flashing indicators and a horn.

When you are on the road you should obey the guidance and rules for other vehicles – The Highway Code. When on the pavement you should follow the guidance and rules for pedestrians. Mobility scooters are called Invalid Carriages in law.

Although you do not have to be insured by law, we strongly recommend that you have at least third-party cover. It is also a good idea to be covered for fire, theft and damage.

(Article Source – The Norfolk Constabulary Website)
Storing your Mobility Scooter
We recommend that you store your mobility scooter in a dedicated storage unit – such as the Asgard Mobility Scooter Storage Shed. This purpose built metal storages unit are designed to protect mobility scooters from the weather, vandals and risk of theft. They are simple to operate, require limited maintenance and can be relocated if required. The unit is supplied with a convenient internal socket point which enables the scooter to be charged safely as required.
Store your mobility Scooter safely and securely when not in use.

Store your mobility Scooter safely and securely when not in use.

For more information and to order a mobility or disability scooter shed – please browse the Mobility Scooter Storage section on the Asgard Website.
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