The mother of a profoundly deaf ten-year-old boy has hit out at intruders who made off with his prized mountain bike.

It is the third time in two years Luke Riley has had a bike stolen from his house in Dorchester Crescent, Holme Wood, Bradford.

Debbie Flowers says her son had struggled to make friends because of his disability, and spent most of his spare time riding the bike.

She said: "He cried when I told him it had been stolen. He's fed up and wants to move to another area."

The £250 yellow and black Thunder One suspension mountain bike was stolen from the back garden of the house overnight on Wednesday.

It was leant against a dog kennel but the intruder managed to evade the family pet Zak the Rottweiler.

Miss Flowers, 31, said: "We can't understand why Zak didn't bark. The only thing we can think of is whoever has taken it knows the dog.

"And if that is the case they will know the bike belongs to Luke and how miserable he would be without it.

"He was born deaf and has limited sign language and lip-reading skills. He's very shy and finds it difficult to mix with other kids.

"When he gets home from school he spends the rest of the day riding up and down the street. We can't afford to replace it and it wasn't insured."

Miss Flowers has scoured Holme Wood and the surrounding area in the hope of spotting the stolen bike.

She said: "I hope whoever is responsible has a conscience, realises the upset they've caused and returns it."

A reward is also being offered if the bike is found.

Sergeant Adrian Denby, of Odsal Police, said: "The youngster obviously gets a lot of pleasure out of using the bike. We're sympathetic to any child who has property stolen, but when it's someone with a disability it makes it all the worse."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Odsal Police on Bradford 376659 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

e-mail: joanne.earp@

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