POLICE are hunting a heartless burglar who stole a man’s mobility scooter in Cradley Heath − leaving the 56-year-old housebound.

Police were called to the man’s home, on Cradley Heath High Street on the afternoon of Saturday, March 28 when the victim woke to find his house had been broken into.

The intruder had forced open a back door and searched the property before stealing the man’s grey TGA Breeze S4 mobility scooter, worth several thousand pounds.

Detective Constable Cheryl Jones, from Sandwell Investigation Team, said: "This is a very upsetting case as one person’s thoughtless crime as left the victim housebound and deeply distressed.

"The owner relied heavily on his mobility scooter to get about after a failed operation last year and this is a new, devastating blow for him."

Miss Jones added: "To know someone has been in his home is bad enough, but for the intruder to be so heartless as to steal his only means of getting about is just unthinkable.

"We’d urge anyone who knows anything about the crime, or the stolen scooter, to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should call Sandwell Police investigation team by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.