MYSTERY surrounds the theft of a car in Southampton after two bunches of flowers were found on the passenger seat when the vehicle was recovered.

Wheelchair-user Elizabeth Richards, from Weston, said to be in shock and cannot find a reason to why thieves stole her car and then abandoned the vehicle leaving two bunches of flowers inside.

Every time she needs to go out, the 62-year-old is totally dependant on her Silver Fiat Doblo with a wheelchair ramp after a stroke left her unable to use the left side of her body.

She and her carer, who does not wish to be named, were sleeping at Elizabeth's house in Crookham Road on July 6 when thieves entered the property, stole their bags and fled with their cars.

Following a post published on Facebook, family and friends rallied together to help find the cars.

While the carer's Vauxhall Viva was found in a car park near A.R Veal Ltd in Portsmouth Road in the evening of July 6, Elizabeth's car was found in the car park off Manor Farm Road in Southampton with two bunches of flowers on the passenger seat and no messages with them.

The vehicles were both recovered by the police.

But Elizabeth said whatever is the reason why the flowers were left in the car, they will not take away the shock and the trauma of the incident.

And added: "I feel worse and worse. It gets worse when I get time to think about it.How can those people sleep at night? They knew they were steeling the car of a disabled person,they've got no morals. What they have done is heartless and despicable."

Elizabeth said the thieves used the keys that were in the safe lock on the wall near the front door and entered the house.

They stole more than £100 worth of gift vouchers from her bag and £66 cash.

"They ripped the safe lock off the wall. The keys were there for emergency, it's something most disabled people have if they need carers. They knew I had the keys outside," Elizabeth said.

And added: "I'm not sleeping now, I'm too scared of suffering another stroke. I hope they get caught. If anyone's got any information to get them suitably punished please contact police."

A spokesperson for Hampshire police confirmed no-one has been arrested.

And added: "We received a report regarding the theft of two cars from Crookham Road, between midnight on July 6 and 7am on July 6. Entry was gained to an address and two sets of car keys were taken.The cars, a Fiat and a Vauxhall Viva, were stolen.The vehicles have since been recovered. There was damage to the bumper and a door on the Vauxhall. Investigations are ongoing."