Blackpool nurse is reunited with her stolen car after community help on Facebook

Kirsty Howard, a registered nurse who works at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, woke on Wednesday morning to find someone had broken into her home on Banbury Road and stolen her black Nissan Qashqai.

Kirsty made an emotional video plea on Facebook for people to help find the car.

On the video she said: “The actions of one person means I can’t go to work tonight. I can’t go and look after patients as a nurse, as a registered healthcare professional. All we want to do is help people get better throughout these worrying times .

“What is wrong with these people that steal cars? What am I supposed to do now?”

Kirsty’s husband, Andy Blower, contacted the Gazette and said: “It’s unbelievable that when we are in our darkest time, an individual saw fit to steal her car. It’s had quite an impact on her but the local community have been very supportive.”

By Friday lunchtime however the car had been found and returned to Kirsty.

Andy said: “I’m relieved the car has been recovered safely and the local community have been amazing with so many kind offers.

“We’re still getting used to being burglary victims, it’s not a nice feeling.”

He added: “The police have been very proactive also, but it shows you the power of social media doesn’t it."

The Nissan was found less than a mile away from Kirsty and Andy’s St Annes home.

Lancashire Police confirmed a 28-year-old man Lytham had been arrested on suspicion of burglary from a dwelling.

He has been released under investigation.