Plea for help after child's mini-motorbike stolen in Walsall
A father has appealed for help to return his talented young son’s motorbike – which he says was his ‘pride and joy’.
Thieves stole the distinctive KTM mini-adventure motorbike belonging to seven-year-old Harry Fletcher, who studies at Elmore Green school, Walsall, from the back of his father’s van overnight on October 1, potentially damaging his aspirations to become a professional rider in the future.
According to his father Ian, Harry hoped to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Connor, who is a competitive speedway driver and had even expressed his desire to emulate Wolverhampton Wolves star Freddie Lindgren.
Ian said: “Harry is devastated, his bike was his pride and joy.
“Already at a young age, he knows that this is something that he wants to do for a long time and he even told me that one day he would be better than Freddie Lindgren, who is something of a hero to him.
“This is a real setback, altogether I think the bike and the work we had done to it has cost around £1,500 so it isn’t something you can just magic out of thin air.
“They also took kit such as his helmet and safety gear, so we have to think about how we can start from scratch without hindering his progress too much, he wanted to compete in the UK youth championships next year and we were planning to sell this bike to get him a new one.
“I hope that someone can help us because Harry is devastated and it is not right.”
The mini-motorcycle is distinctive due to its orange paint job and wheel spokes, as well as having a kill switch installed, which is unusual for that particular model.
It was stolen from Ian’s van at Southmead Way in Walsall.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “At some time between 11pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday, unknown persons have gained access to a parked Vauxhall van and stolen a KTM motorcycle, orange in colour, plus a red metal toolbox from the rear.Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting the crime reference number 20WS/209910P/17.”
Meanwhile a fundraising campaign has been launched to support Harry.
To donate towards buying a new bike for him visit www.gofundme.com/for-stolen-tool-box-and-ktm-bike
