THIEVES deprived a disabled teenager of his independence when they stole a wheelchair from outside the front door of a house in Thresher Drive.

The 13-year-old boy's wheelchair, which is worth £200 and fitted with special silver anti-roll bars, a long backrest and seat cushions, was stolen between 4pm and 4.30pm yesterday.

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "This theft is beyond contempt. It would have been obvious to the thieves the wheelchair belonged to a disabled child and we find it very difficult to understand how anyone could have stooped so low."