A pensioner is appealing for the return of batteries stolen from his wife’s mobility scooter.

Thieves smashed the window of a specially-adapted Transit van belonging to Martin and Susan Harris.

It was parked opposite their Marine Parade home in Sheerness when the theft took place on Monday night last week.

Artist Mr Harris, 77, said he was alerted to the raid the following morning when he noticed the van’s sliding doors appeared not to be shut properly.

He said: “When I investigated further, I found they had cut the wires off the batteries to release them.”

No other items were stolen.

He added: “I’d like to know how people can like themselves when they take, by force, the means an elderly lady has of getting about and vandalise an old van while doing it.”

Mr Harris said the two black secondhand 12-volt batteries are “sought after” for caravans and electric wheelchairs. He estimated that the items are worth £250 and said replacement costs would come out of his own pocket.

“When a scooter’s three or four years old it’s valueless without the batteries,” he said.

Having been forced to resort to pushing his wife in a non-motorised wheelchair, Mr Harris said not only would the pair have to bear the physical strain, there was emotional stress.

“I’m struggling to come to terms with the fact that most human beings are nice and yet some are so nasty,” he said.

“It’s hard to believe anybody can live with themselves when they are prepared to target old people. I’d urge people, if you know who’s nicked these batteries, please tell the police.”