Elderly man's 'lockdown' tricycle stolen from Cambridge church

The victim said his life was very much harder without the electric tricycle he had built for himself

An electric tricycle built during lockdown by an 85-year-old man to help him get around has been stolen despite him locking it to church railings.

The vehicle had been secured to a metal fence outside Great St Mary's Church in Cambridge and was taken between 12:40 GMT and 2:15 on Wednesday.

Appealing for witnesses, police described it as "unique" and said it was the man's only transport.

The victim said his life was "much more difficult without it".

Cambridgeshire Police said the "electric tricycle is unique, and made from a Raleigh frame, a stainless steel Trykit conversion axle, a Berthould saddle bag and has two panniers attached filled with books".

The owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I have heart and balance problems.

"With my electric tricycle I could do my shopping and go into town. I put it together during the Covid lockdown and the electric helps me against the wind and hills.

"Life has become much more difficult for me without it."

The church, between the market square and King's College Chapel, is surrounded by iron railings which can have dozens of bikes secured to them

He had secured it outside Great St Mary's Church - also known as the University Church - in St Mary's Passage in the city centre.

PC Natalie Hines said: "This is a unique cycle that people may have spotted around Cambridge.

"We're urging anyone who has information or has seen the electric tricycle, either being used or listed for sale, to contact us."