FELIXSTOWE: A mother has sent out a stark warning to parents today after her young daughter was left devastated when her bike was stolen.

Molly Bennett, 7, and Linda Bennett, 48, of Holland Road, discovered that their bikes had been stolen on Sunday as they were preparing to go out on a ride.

The bikes were chained together in the front garden of the family home and they were both taken sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

Mrs Bennett said her daughter was devastated after walking out in her cycling gear only to discover that the bikes had been taken.

She said: “She is still upset and really really angry, she absolutely loves riding her bike.

“She is absolutely raging, she is angry that someone would do something like that.

“It is disappointing that someone would do something like that.”

The bikes that were stolen were a green Raleigh bike with grey forks and a pink Apollo Star bike.

Mrs Bennett has now issued a warning to parents ahead of Christmas to make sure that their bikes are locked up to avoid being the target of thieves.

She said: “Don’t leave your bikes where they can be seen, make sure they’re locked up.

“Keep them out of view, that was our mistake.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police reiterated Mrs Bennett’s warning to keep valuable items, including bikes, out of sight.

She said: “Two bikes have gone after they were left in the front garden.

“We would like to renew our appeal for people to lock up their bikes.”

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the theft. If you were in the area at the time or if you have any information please contact the Felixstowe Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.

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