Teen begins petition after bike stolen on birthday

A teenager has begun a petition after his bike was stolen from his garden on his thirteenth birthday.

Steven said the theft from his home in Reading has made him feel "quite anxious about where I live".

With the backing of his parents, the teenager is going door to door gathering support and hopes his petition will press Reading Borough Council, the police and his local MP to take action.

Thames Valley Police said it does not underestimate the impact that crimes of this nature have on victims and that it has taken action in the area in response to residents' concerns. The council said it works closely with the force to try to address these issues.

Steven and his mum's bike were stolen from their garden on 10 January.

The 13-year-old said: "I feel anxious and so do my neighbours.

"Some of them are quite old and they live alone, so I'm helping them out."

His dad, David, said: "To wake up and find your bike stolen is already quite a harrowing experience, but for it to happen on a child's thirteenth birthday.

"Steven was obviously quite hurt and upset about the whole ordeal.

"But he decided if nobody else was going to, he needed to try and make positive change for the community.

"And I couldn't be more proud of him for that."

A key problem is an overgrown walkway behind their gardens.

It has been used as an escape route following break-ins, and neighbours are aware it's used by drug dealers.

Steven's parents are reluctant for him to go to the local park on his own, and even to the nearby shops.

Although there's awareness of crime in the area, they feel the authorities aren't acting.

A number of residents who live in the Coley Park area have voiced their support for the petition.

One resident said: "There's a lot of parks nearby.

"We find needles along those roads, and our car's been broken into three or four times... our car's been stolen.

"It's very commendable what he's doing."

Another added: "I hope that it will raise the profile of crime in the area and get us support from local police, council because more police supporting would definitely help."

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "Following a review of all the available lines of enquiry, this incident has been filed.

"Should any new information come to light, this will be reviewed and investigated."

The force said it has taken action in the area, including increased policing patrols and installing gates at the alleyway to make it harder for those committing vehicle related anti-social behaviour.

The spokesperson added: "We urge local residents to please keep reporting incidents to us via our website, 101 or 999 in an emergency – the more we know about it the better, as we will target our resources to the areas that need them the most."

Reading Borough Council said it was sorry to hear of the theft and encouraged residents to report incidents to the force.