Cruel crooks take autistic lad’s bike

April 20, 2009

Cruel crooks take autistic lad's bike

By Chine Mbubaegbu

April 20, 2009

An autistic schoolboy is pleading for the safe return of his beloved bike after

heartless thieves stole it from his front garden.

Byne, seven, had just learnt how to ride his black and fluorescent green

Magna bike and was enjoying playing on it over the Easter holidays until it was

stolen.

His mum Louise said: " He's absolutely devastated. His autism makes him get very

possessive over things.

" Every day he's asking whether we've found his bike yet. "

At around 6pm on Thursday last week, finished playing and left his bike in

the front garden of his home in Fairford Road, Tilehurst.

When his mum came out at around 8pm to put it away, it was gone.

While any young child would be upset if their bike was stolen, the theft is

causing particular distress to Springfield Primary pupil because of his

learning difficulties.

Mrs Byne, who owns a shop in the Meadway precinct with her husband , added:

" Because he wants this one back so badly, I don't know how he would react if we

gave him a new one.

" And we're also not in a position to get him another one at the moment. "

Mrs Byne said she is more interested in finding the bike than finding the people

who stole it.

She said: " It's got a broken pedal so it's worth more to than anyone else.

" We just want the bike back. We've looked but have not been able to find

anything. "

Mc, crime reduction adviser for Thames Valley Police, said: " My

heart goes out to this young victim.

" I would like to appeal to anybody who has the bike or who knows who does, to

get in touch with either me or the Evening Post in confidence.

" This incident should serve as a reminder there are opportunistic thieves around

just looking out for unattended, insecure property.

" My advice to cyclists is to lock up their bikes no matter how long you intend

to be away for.

" We also advise you to secure your bike on two good locks – one to a fixed

object and the other to both wheels. "

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