Care worker left devastated after work bike used to travel to those in need is stolen

Angi, her partner and her son's bike were all stolen.

Angi Wardell was shocked to find that her work bike had been stolen from her garage on Gordon Road, South Shields.

The home carer, who works for CRG Homecare started cycling to and from work at the beginning of the pandemic and can cycle 16 miles a day on busy days.

Angi’s first bike was too big and caused her to fall off and fracture her foot last year.

The 48-year-old applied for a cycle to work scheme and got herself a new bike which was stolen along with two other bikes kept in her garage.

The bike was stolen at some point between 9pm on Tuesday, March 9 and 8.50am on Wednesday March 10.

Ms Wardell, who has been working in care for nearly 17 years, is currently using her old bike that caused her accident but is worried a similar incident could occur.

The South Shields and South Tyneside streets where most crime is reported to be ...

She said: “It makes me feel sad but also mad because they took my son and partner’s bike too, they could have left the bairn’s bike at least!

"The bike is my transport to and from work and I feel wounded because I love my job and this bike is my lifeline to make sure I can get to work so I can look after my service users – It’s not right and I just really want it back.”

The care worker says she hasn’t finished paying off the bike through the scheme so hopes anyone with information will come forward so the bike can be returned.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 9am on Wednesday we received a report of theft from a premises on Gordon Road, South Shields.

“It was reported that at some point overnight between 9pm on March 9 and 8.50am March 10, an offender has gained entry to a locked garage and stolen three push bikes.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police using the Tell us Something page on our website, quoting log 853 100321.”

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