A dad has spoken out after three bikes were stolen as children stopped to enjoy the playground at Witton Park.

The incident happened at around 3.30pm on Sunday (March 17).

The three 13-year-olds had secured their bikes individually to an immovable feature installed for the very purpose, at the larger newly-renovated playground.

One of the bikes was a Black Carrera Avenger worth about £350. A second was a lime green 'Frog', which is said to be more expensive and the third was red with distinctive pedals. 

Matt, the father of one of the boys, said his son and his friends were extremely upset at what had happened.

He said: "A thousand pounds worth of bikes have been stolen at peak time and in plain sight in the blink of an eye.”

He said the boys said a group of '16-year-old lads' were asking them weird questions the day before and again the day of the crime. 

Matt said: “Their 'leader' a ginger lad with 'bouncy hair' asked my son: 'Are you going away now?'

“They also had a backpack with them. Half an hour later they came back to their bikes only to find all three gone - no trace of the locks. There were reports they were seen heading south over the River Darwen.

“Obviously the lads were devastated and are still upset now.

“We parents have put the alert out on social media asking for information and have driven around checking in case they got abandoned.

“Three independently locked bikes stolen in broad daylight, in plain sight in an instant. There is no doubt this thing is pre-meditated and planned.

“It was also the busiest time of day in the middle of the afternoon. Someone must have seen something.

“I would urge people to be more vigilant.”

Later, following an appeal, the parents received news that an abandoned bike had been found in Mill Hill but this was not one of the bikes taken.

The parents have reported the thefts to the police.