A DEDICATED carer has been left disgusted after her pushbike was stolen while she was visiting elderly and disabled residents in her community.

anthony.bond@eveningstar.co.uk

A DEDICATED carer has been left disgusted after her pushbike was stolen while she was visiting elderly and disabled residents in her community.

Tracy Shapland, 44, was visiting an elderly man in Sturdee Avenue, Ipswich, when her locked pushbike was taken from outside the house.

Because the mother-of-two relies on the bike she had to continue her calls on foot in the snowy conditions - although she was not able to visit one person.

She said: “I think it is disgusting. Obviously whoever took it saw me go to this chap's house because I have been there three times before and it has always been safe. I am out to help people in the community and somebody has taken my bike.

“I was really upset because I could not carry on doing the rest of my work.”

Mrs Shapland, who lives in Avondale Road, has only been doing the job for a month, which involves her helping elderly and disabled residents around the house.

Because she needs a pushbike for work, her husband Stephen bought her a new bike for more than �140.

He said: “My wife works very hard and is very dedicated and it has caused a lot of upset and hassle.”

The bike was a purple Apollo 'Outrider' ladies mountain bike. It was taken on Thursday evening. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Timothy Gregory at the South East Ipswich Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.