A TRAQUAIR dad has told of his children’s heartbreak when their precious mountain bikes were stolen just hours after they had completed a charity ride.

Business-owner Jamie Birks, told the Peeblesshire News how three high-value bikes were stolen from the family home just after midnight on Sunday, April 2.

His 11-year-old twins, Ally and Billy, had just taken their bikes along the Glentress Trails for an April Fools’ fundraising event for Inner Soul Racing on Saturday morning.

Jamie told us: “As soon as I discovered that my boys’ bikes had been taken, I was raging. My wife Sarah went out to put rubbish in the bins and alerted me to the noises outside. I left the house to find the three bikes, which were on the back of the car, gone.

“My rage quickly turned to sadness as the realisation set in that the bikes had been stolen. I didn’t really sleep much that night. After breakfast I explained the bad news, once I told them, they were heartbroken. 

“The bikes are an important part of our life as a family, and the boys couldn’t get their heads around why anyone would do that. Billy asked me why someone would take them and I explained they would be sold for money. His response was ‘Why don’t they just get a job?’. I couldn’t give him an answer.”

After contacting police and reporting the break-in, Jamie took to social media to spread the word and alert other residents in the area of what had happened. 

“The support has been amazing, with over 500 shares, and many messages, some from people who I don’t know.” 

While Jamie praised the work of the current police investigation, he raised concerns over the lack of police presence in the Borders and the vulnerability of residents. 

“I can understand the officers are doing all they can to look into this and help retrieve the bikes, but the wider issue over the lack of police resources and their presence in the Borders needs addressed.

“Plus with the upcoming elections, it’s a huge topic that everyone’s talking about, and will no doubt be brought up with various candidates in the coming weeks.” 

Inner Soul Racing is a cycling club for children that was launched in Innerleithen in January. The youngsters raised more than £2,000 for equipment and expert coaching during Saturday’s fundraiser.

Rachael McDougal, from i-cycles, Innerleithen, who organised the event, said: “This theft is particularly horrible as the thieves seem to feel it’s okay to steal from children. 

“We’d like to remind people to remain vigilant whilst out and about and lock up your bikes. However enjoy your riding as we don’t want these thefts to make us all paranoid as there’s a lot of good people out there too. 

“Many are helping in the search for the bikes with information and support.”

The bikes were an Evil Insurgent valued at £7,000, plus two Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt’s, valued at £2,500 each.

It is the latest in a spate of similar thefts across Peeblesshire. Last month, a Peebles mum told us of her heartbreak after five of her mountain bikes were stolen as part of a crime-spree between March 16 and 20.

A total of 12 bikes have been reported stolen from various addresses in the area in recent weeks. Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.