A Scots nurse has been left devastated after heartless thieves stole her moped twice. Niamh Mcleish, from Edinburgh, spent £700 repairing the moped after it was stolen in April only to have it pinched again two months later.
The 24-year-old healthcare worker only discovered the vehicle had been nicked a second time on Thursday after seeing a photo of it dumped in a nearby pond on a community page.
Niamh, who used the moped to see patients, told Edinburgh Live: “The first time the bike was stolen in the night and I noticed in the morning before work, making me very late as I had to phone the police and insurance.
“I work as a staff nurse and it made my area short-staffed, then a member of the public found it in Lochend Park the next day, overall not road worthy but fixable, repairs costing £700. They phoned it to the police, who picked it up, police stated this thing happens a lot, and didn’t recommend me having it forensically analysed as this would cost me more and unlikely to have results.”
Niamh, who is originally from the Borders, added: “They took a statement and soon said there was little CCTV and nothing much they could do. This time I had a phone call from the police stating it had been found in Lochend, they did not mention how it has been dumped underwater, I saw that on the I Love Leith page.”
“I still haven’t heard anything from the police and haven’t given a statement. Despite spending money on additional security, it’s been stolen again and senselessly ruined by being dumped in the loch.”
Niamh, who moved to the city’s Leith area a couple of years ago, added: “I’m heartbroken and financially worse off when money is already tight in a cost of living crisis. I am going to give up on having a moped as likely it will just be stolen again. It’s really disappointing as I work really hard and have called Leith home for two years.
“I got the moped to help me serve people in Edinburgh because it helps me get to work quicker and I am less tired with the moped, meaning I can deliver better care to my patients. The fuel costs of the moped for a month was also the same as what I spent on three trips with Lothian Buses.”
Niamh is considering switching back to buses so she doesn’t fall victim to thieves for a third time. Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
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