THEFTS don’t get much more callous than that of a disabled grandmother’s wheelchair.

Shirley Doyle thought her chair was safe when she left it in the porch of her daughter’s Southampton home while visiting her five grandchildren.

The 63-year-old believes the £200 wheelchair could have been stolen by metal thieves despite its scrap value being just a few pounds.

Mrs Doyle, who has had her left leg amputated, said: “I couldn’t believe it when it happened.

“I think it’s disgusting to be honest. I would like to know how they would manage with one leg and no wheelchair.

“If it’s been taken for scrap it’s even more disgusting. They will pinch anything these days.”

The theft happened at her daughter’s terraced house in Rownhams Road, Shirley.

Local Labour ward councillor Don Thomas, whose brother-inlaw has just had his leg amputed, said: “It’s despicable. It makes you wonder what they are thinking when they go to the depths of stealing a wheelchair.

If you’re taking somebody’s wheelchair, you’re taking away their mobility.”

He added: “We’ve heard about gates and drain covers being stolen by metal thieves but to stoop to the level of stealing a wheelchair is outrageous.”

Mrs Doyle, of Eastchurch Close, Southampton, said she scoured the streets on her mobility scooter trying to find the thieves or her wheelchair.

She has been lent a replacement by the Red Cross for a month but cannot afford to buy another spare wheelchair for her daughter’s house when she has to return it.

She said she is still making payments on her £3,000 mobility scooter from disability benefits.

The former childminder, who had her leg amputated in an operation on New Year’s Eve four years after she was admitted to hospital with circulation problems, said: “I’d be happy just to have it back.”

Hampshire police are investigating the theft and are appealing for information.

The wheelchair had a red frame and red seat. They have not ruled out a metal theft.

They have recently launched a crackdown on metal thieves across the county, who have been driven to more brazen thefts by the high price of scrap.

Vehicles have been seized, stolen metals recovered and three men arrested during an operation which involved 29 officers.

Police have also visited 12 scrap metal dealers across Southampton, the New Forest, and Romsey to discuss the thefts and give advice on how they can avoid becoming an outlet for stolen metal.

A child’s swing was recently taken from a front garden in Copnor, and the Solent coastguard lost communications for 36-hours after thieves stole metal cable.

Councils are reporting a rise in drain and manhole covers being stolen, while lead is being ripped off church roofs across the county.

The House of Lords is considering a private member’s bill to tackle metal thefts by calling for tougher licensing and more powers to close scrapyards.

Metal theft is estimated to cost the UK economy £770m per year.

The UK metals recycling industry is worth £5.6 billion, according to the British Metals Recycling Association.

Anyone with information about the theft can call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0500 111111.