THE mum of a young gym-goer whose bike was stolen while he was working out says her son has had his “pride and joy” taken from him.

Georgia Francis’ son Jamie visited The Gym, in Queen Street, Colchester, last Thursday at about 4pm and locked up his beloved Carrera Vengeance cycle inside.

After his session, which ended at about 6.30pm, the 16-year-old went to retrieve his dark grey and black two-wheeler with a view of heading home.

To his shock, however, he was confronted with an empty bay and the realisation his £300 and four-year-old bike had been snatched from him.

Gazette:

“He called me and said someone had stolen his bike and then he wandered around trying to find it, but it was definitely long gone,” added Georgia.

“He is in the middle of his exams, bless him, and this was his pride and joy and with the cost of busses and fuel going up this bike was my son’s lifeline.

“I feel it is so sad people these days cannot have anything in this town without the fear of it being stolen, even with people struggling with the increase of everything.

“It is such a blow and I just hope the person has it in their heart to return it – not questions will be asked we just want it returned safely.”

Since the theft Georgia has issued an appeal on social media with the hope her son, who attends East Bergholt High School, will be reunited with his bike.

She added: “Since putting up the post I have become aware this is quite a regular occurrence and I have been told it is a hotspot there for bike thefts sadly.

“I am not holding out much hope and I have not heard anything yet, but I have put it on social media to get the word around.

“But please make this bike too hot to handle and if you hear of anything trying to sell it please get in touch with me.”

To contact Georgia with any information about Jamie’s bike call 07860520299.