RAIDERS stole nearly £5,000 of bikes which were set to be used by pupils.

Sixteen cycles were taken from Hamstel Junior School, Southend, just before youngsters were about to take part in Southend Council’s cycle training scheme.

Twenty one bikes were delivered to to the school in Hamstel Road, on Friday, ready for instruction to take place this week.

The machines were securely locked within the school bike sheds, but were stolen some time between Friday afternoon and Sunday, November 16 at 7pm.

Karen Hall, the school’s deputy headteacher, said: “We are very upset.

“We believe that learning to cycle safely is a life-skill that all our children should have the opportunity to acquire.

“This selfish act has prevented a number of children participating in our planned Bikeability training.”

The cycles were bought by the council about a year ago using a Bikeability grant from the Department for Transport.

Each is marked with a name and a number on the front forks, mostly animal names such as giraffe and panda.

Matt Mills, cycle training co-ordinator at the council, said: “It is really sad. Nothing seems to be sacred any more.

“The bikes are used in nearly all primary schools across the borough to provide training for children who may not have their own.

“So not only has it disrupted this week for Hamstel Junior, but also other schools and our training team.”

The haul included a selection of Specialized Hot Rock and Junior Hot Rock bikes with 20, 24 and 26-inch frame sizes.

The 20-inch bikes are white, the 24- inch cycles are black with blue flashing and the 26-inch models black with red flashing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Craig Burles at Southend Police station on 101.

They can also contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.