Appeal after tools and Alzheimer’s medication stolen

We are appealing for information after a thief stole a number of tools and medication for Alzheimer’s disease out of a bag on a mobility scooter outside a community centre in Stoke-on-Trent.

We were called at 8.15pm on 27 June to the Royal Voluntary Service community centre in Hanley following reports of a theft.

Officers attended the centre and discovered that several items had been stolen from the victim’s bag, on their mobility scooter, which had been left outside at the rear of the building.

These items included: an electric pump, seven Allen keys, four screwdrivers, three spanners and a pair of pliers, all of which were being used to maintain the scooter, along with two gate locks.

Medication for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia was also stolen from the bag, leaving the victim, a man in his 70s, with only enough to last the week. He has since sought additional medication from his doctor.

We have released CCTV still images of someone we would like to trace in connection with the theft.

We know the images are not the best quality, however, we hope someone may recognise this individual and their distinctive clothing.

PC Muna Farah, the officer in the case, said: “This was a brazen and opportunistic theft of vital items belonging to a vulnerable person.

“I would encourage anyone who recognises the individual in the CCTV images to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101 quoting incident number 663 of 27 June. To report anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.