A COLCHESTER boy says he has 'learnt to trust again' after a police officer returned his stolen bike.

The boy named only as Dee, 11, had his bike stolen after shopping at Tesco's with his grandmother on September 24. 

Liuda, Dee's mum, said: "My son felt worried and distressed when he came out of Tesco and realised his bike was missing."

Dee started to feel too afraid to go outside after school in the two weeks his bike was missing. 

Luida said: "He had thoughts that it wasn't safe to be outdoors, fearing that someone might steal from him or even attack him while he was alone.

"This fear made him hesitant to leave the house for a while."

But the bike was found and returned to Dee on October 9. 

Luida said: "The officer returned my son's bike while he was at home with his grandmother.

"The officer was incredibly kind, caring, and professional, reassuring him that he is safe and that the police are always here to help and support him.

"This had a fantastic influence on my son. He called me immediately after the officer left, excited and unable to stop talking about how impressed he was and how much safer he felt.

"The very next day, after two weeks of avoiding going out after school, my son went for a bike ride. I am extremely grateful for the positive impact the officer had on my son."

Luida is thankful for the police officer's work and for returning her son's bike.

She said: "I wanted to express our deep gratitude for the prompt response from the officer. The swift action meant the world to us. The support we received was truly remarkable, and we are so thankful.

"When the officer returned my son's bike, it wasn’t just about retrieving a possession. He took the time to have a heartfelt conversation with a very frustrated child, and for him, it made all the difference.

"Dee has been talking non-stop about the officer who visited our home and gave him the chance to trust again.

"The reassurance that the police are always here to protect him and keep him safe has had an incredible impact on him."