Pupils at a Bradford special school have been left devastated after specialist bikes for disabled children worth thousands of pounds were stolen.

Bikes worth about £4,000 were taken during the first of two break-ins at Delius Special School, in Barkerend Road, Bradford, in the last week.

Police are investigating the incidents, which includes the doors of the garage which contained the bikes being smashed in on Thursday evening as well.

Headteacher Sally Joy said those responsible for the break-ins were believed to be young teenagers.

She said bikes worth about £4,000 were taken on Saturday.

She said: “They took specialist equipment which is expensive and really difficult to replace. Last night they came and smashed in the door of the garage again, and of course there’s nothing in there anymore, “So we had spent money to have it secured and they have gone and smashed the door, so now we need to replace the door.

“My concern is for the kids who are doing this because they are getting themselves into a life of crime.

“So my concern is for them as well as our kids for the loss of their bikes and the drain on the public funding.”

Mrs Joy said the school’s security guard was distributing pictures of the distinctive bikes around local neighbourhoods to see if anyone had seen them.

Meanwhile, classes at the school have also been making posters urging those responsible not to target them again.

Inspector Andrew Gallant, of the Bowling, Barkerend and Bradford Moor Neighbourhood Policing Team, confirmed inquiries were being made.

He said: “We have done some reassurance around security at that school and other schools around Barkerend Road.”

Witnesses or anyone with any information have been asked to contact Insp Gallant on (01274) 376534.