Firm saves the day after thieves target war hero... twice

By ablakeman

WHEN thieves stole Harry Jervis's mobility scooter twice in the same week, the war hero was stranded in his own home.

The 89-year-old, who risked his life as a sniper during the Second World War, had to rely on his family to bring him food and take him out of his sheltered bungalow at Falkirk Grange, Newcastle.

Thieves first stole his scooter from outside his home on December 6.

It was later found vandalised beyond repair and ditched in a brook at nearby Thistleberry Parkway.

The great-grandfather received a replacement scooter on December 10 – but was shocked when it was stolen from outside his home again just two days later.

Yesterday, Mr Jervis, who cannot walk far on his own, was presented with a new £2,095 scooter, courtesy of Mobility and Lifestyle, in Newcastle.

Bosses at the company decided to make the goodwill gesture after being told by police about Mr Jervis's plight.

After being presented with the scooter, Mr Jervis, who fought on the frontline in Italy with the 1st Battalion of the Hertfordshire Regiment, said: "It's great. The company has been very kind giving it to me.

"I have no idea why vandals stole the first one and smashed it up, there must be something wrong with them.

"It was even harder to believe when the second scooter went missing.

"I was enjoying being able to go down to the shop on my scooter and get myself a newspaper but I couldn't do that once it had been stolen."

Lee Morris, store manager, said the company was pleased to help Mr Jervis.

He said: "A Police Community Support Officer came to the shop recently wanting to know how people could secure their mobility scooters, because of what happened to Mr Jervis.

"It was upsetting to hear what had happened to him and we thought it would be a nice gesture to help him out in what way we could.

"Once he has had a secure shed fitted at his property to keep the scooter in, we will deliver it to him, because we don't want it to be stolen for a third time.

"Hopefully this scooter will give him his independence back and allow him to be mobile again."

Police are currently carrying out an investigation into the two thefts.

Tim Edwards, head of operational support at Aspire Housing, said: "We are sorry to hear about Mr Jervis's situation and are currently investigating his options to make his scooter secure.

"We have also asked Mr Jervis to contact the company that provided the scooters to ask about security measures that can be taken, to ensure the safety of his vehicle in the future.

"Once we have all of the information, we will look at how we can help him to make sure this doesn't happen again."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Andrew Bryan, at Newcastle police station, on 0300 123 4455.