‘Low-lives’ snatch bike from home

Teenager Jordan Williamson left his bike - a Norco Havock with a zebra print - in the back garden at a friend’s house on Eastern Avenue but within minutes it had been snatched.

His friend’s bike - a gold Giant STP - was also taken in the incident on the evening of Thursday 5th January.

Jordan’s mum Karen from All Saints Meadows, in Laughton Common, said the family were ‘deeply upset’ when they heard of the theft.

“I’m devastated and he’s gutted too. I’ve gone round to see if we could spot the bike - it’s quite distinctive - but we’ve not seen it,” she said.

“Whoever’s done this are low lives and can’t just go around taking what they want without being punished. They probably wouldn’t have known what they were stealing.”

“They’re the type of people who will see something, take it and sell it on as quickly as they can without a thought about anyone else.”

His dad Paul is still struggling to come to terms with the theft.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s a good bike and we’re so upset,” he added.

The incident was reported to police, who themselves conducted a search for the bikes on Thursday evening.

Jordan’s Norco Havock is described as white with bright orange checks on the frame.

His friend’s bike - a Giant STP - is described as having a gold pattern on the frame with a purple stem on the handlebars and purple wheels.

PC Craig White from South Yorkshire Police said the majority of cycle thefts are ‘opportunist thefts’.

“We are all guilty of just ‘nipping’ into a shop for a minute or two and leaving our bikes outside unattended and insecure, or getting back home and leaving it in the back garden unlocked or propped up against our shed or back wall,” he said.

“The problem is that a thief only needs a minute or two to notice your bike is insecure, jump onto it and cycle away.

These stolen bikes are either dumped, sold off to buyers who don’t realise they’re stolen, or even sold for scrap metal.”

“Throughout the year police recover a number of bikes they suspect are stolen and it can be difficult to trace the rightful owner. By using one of several database services currently available to register your bike, it significantly increases your chance of getting it back if it is stolen and then recovered by the police.”

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference 886 of the 5th January.