Black Country magnet fishers fetch stolen scooter out of canal

Finley Hargood, nine, and his 12-year-old brother McKenzie have been praised by police after discovering the stolen scooter in the Birmingham Canal in the Ettingshall area of Wolverhampton.

The brothers, from Hall Lane in Tipton, were out ‘magnet fishing’ with their father Scott Hargood, 44, and uncle Mark, 36, near Catchems Corner Bridge when they made the discovery.

The family made the news in September after discovering a shotgun and gun barrel while fishing at Titford Lane in Oldbury.

Their sport involves throwing a small but powerful magnet far into the canal, and pulling it slowly across the bed back towards the wall.

Heavy

Mr Hargood, who works as a carer, said the latest discovery was made last week when Finley noticed his magnet had stuck to a heavy item.

“He got his magnet stuck, so we all started pulling,” said Mr Hargood.

“We soon had it back to the side of the canal, and we realised what it was.”

Watch the moment scooter was found:

Their efforts won praise from Pcs Katie Walker and Shaun Reeves of the St Peter’s Park and Graiseley neighbourhood policing team.

They posted a picture of the youngsters on their Twitter account, saying it was a good example of the police and communities working together.

Mr Hargood added: “They said the motorbike had been reported stolen, and that they had used black to alter the number plate.”

He said he decided to try the sport after seeing another family doing it on the YouTube internet video site.

“We do it because every day is different,” he said.

“You have no clue what you’re going to pull out. It could be something huge, or it could be nothing.

“It’s the mystery, that’s what we love.”

Broadcast

The boys’ mother Mary usually films their exploits which they broadcast on a YouTube channel called Crazy Magnet Family, which also features Finley and McKenzie’s older brother Logan, 14.

A film of McKenzie finding the shotgun attracted almost 5,000 views almost overnight.

A police spokesman said the weapon, which was believed to have been underwater for some time, was recovered by specialist firearms officers, and would be analysed by experts.

The family took up the hobby at the end of August, using circular neodymium magnets which cost £25 each.

Within their first week they built up an amazing treasure trove which, as well as the firearms, also included a sword, four mountain bikes, a safe door, a 20mph speed limit sign, a mobility scooter and a motorcycle frame.

Mr Hargood said his children were always closely supervised while using their magnets, and he insisted on them wearing gloves.

“You don’t know what is in the canal,” added.

Mr Hargood said the reaction from the public was generally positive, with people pleased to see them emptying the canals of rubbish that could damage boats.

“People walking past, they’re so friendly,” he said. “We always get rid of everything we find safely, and we wash down the path.”