A DISABLED couple have become prisoners in their own home after thieves stole a metal access ramp.

Lewis Bishop, who has cerebral palsy and asthma, heard a loud bang outside his ground floor flat in Selsey Close, Warndon, Worcester, at about 5.30pm on Sunday.

He later discovered a specially-made fold-up aluminium ramp he and his wife use to get in and out of their property had gone.

Mr Bishop, who can only walk short distances, said the theft meant his wife was housebound until the new year as the couple would not be able to obtain another ramp until after Christmas due to the cost and the fact it has to be made to order.

The 38-year-old said: “I have a mobility scooter but mine stays outside. My wife’s got one she uses to get everywhere because she’s got two slipped discs and an infection in her right leg, which is being amputated next year.

“We could do without the stress. This isn’t the first time something has happened. Two years ago, my mobility scooter was sabotaged. We’re very, very angry. My wife can’t get out and she can’t use her scooter at all now. We’d like to urge people to keep an eye out for our ramp and to contact police if they see it. We suspect metal thieves have taken it because of its scrap value.”

PC Nicola Longmore, of West Mercia Police, said: “We are investigating the theft of the ramp, but we are not yet sure why someone would steal it; it is not worth very much money.

“However, it has had a huge impact on the Bishops and whoever has taken it should be as-hamed of themselves.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.