Two bikes were stolen from outside the Salvation Army in Salisbury. 

The charity says the bikes were taken from its forecourt on Salt Lane on Monday afternoon between 1.30 and 3.30.

The bikes are a Bright Red Carrera Kraken Hybrid off-road bike with the latest Disc brakes fitted, and a dark red metallic paint finish ladies model retro 1970’s Raleigh Tourer with luggage grid and distinctive period rear wheel cover and spats.

They were restored as part of its Re-Cycles Scheme which helps to raise money for the Salvation Army in the city. 

Captain Martin Davison, of Salisbury Salvation Army, said: "It’s disappointing this has happened.

"The volunteers had worked really hard to clean up the bikes and bring them back to tip top order, it's going to be hard to share the news that the bikes have been taken after their efforts."

"I think folk will understand that these things happen and that because the bikes are outside during the day…there is a degree of temptation, they may have been taken as a dare," he added. 

He says damage was caused to two other bikes when attempts were made to try and remove their locks and have broken the locking system on another.

Salisbury Salvation Army has been running its Re-Cycles Scheme for the last year and have found homes for more than 100 pre-loved bikes, raising valuable funds for the charity and providing volunteering opportunities for people to improve their bike maintenance skills.

It is the first time that any of the bikes have been taken. 

"Fortunately we have good pictures of all our bikes so hopefully they will turn up soon, added Captain Davison. 

"We lock all our bikes up when on display outside so the thieves have clearly brought some appropriate tools to break the locks to get the ones they had targeted."

The charity intends to keep going with their re-cycles initiative and is investing in further security precautions to discourage further thefts and vandalism.

The Hybrid Carrera bike had a value of £145 while the retro Raleigh was £95. 

"We will lose some revenue, but I am sure other good bikes will be donated to make up the loss. We have raised around £5,000 so far from selling the pre-loved cycles, for Salisbury Salvation Army.

"The re-cycles project has been a wonderful success with people seeing the value in not buying new from a green sustainable point of view, and people gifting us bikes which would otherwise just stay in the shed unused," said Captain Davison.

He is urging residents to keep an eye out for the missing bikes.

 

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