Police are investigating a robbery in which an elderly man is said to have been pushed off his mobility scooter and had his vehicle stolen by a gang of men by Great Yarmouth seafront.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The mobility scooter robbery happened in CamperdownPicture: Anthony CarrollThe mobility scooter robbery happened in CamperdownPicture: Anthony Carroll (Image: Archant)

The 77-year-old was in Campderdown on Saturday at about 8.30pm when four men approached him from a dark grey/blue van.

One of the gang is said to have pushed him off the mobility scooter and then restrained the victim by lying on top of him.

The three other men then grabbed the scooter and put in the back of the van and the gang fled.

The victim, who is not from Great Yarmouth and lives in east Norfolk, was said to have been left shaken by his ordeal and was not injured.

News of the robbery investigation shocked local councillors and residents of the street, which has several hotels and holiday accommodation blocks.

A male resident of Camperdown said: “It is out of order. You don’t do that to older people.”

Another male resident said he had never heard of robbery like that before and instead said the area had a problem with boy racers.

The incident happened in the Nelson Ward and its three borough councillors expressed their shock at the offence.

Kerry Robinson Payne, said: “Obviously it’s a very distressing story to hear and I hope that he’s going to be OK. It’s a really troubling and I really feel for the gentleman.”

Tony Wright said: “It’s a disgrace; it just begs belief that anybody would want to do anything like this.

“It’s sickening, I just hope the police catch the culprits and they are brought to justice.

“That he wasn’t injured is a blessing but that doesn’t take away from the seriousness of the crime.”

Michael Jeal said: “It’s a despicable crime and the full weight of the law should be bought against them if they catch them.”

The four suspects were in their 20s and wore dark hooded jumpers/jackets. One of the hoods had a distinctive white line around the trim.

Anyone with information should call Det Con Richard Wallis at Great Yarmouth CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.