Trikes stolen from Sconce Hills children's pre-school playgroup in Newark

A children’s playgroup from Newark targeted by trike thieves is raising money to build a lock-up to prevent a repetition.

This week, two children’s trikes were stolen from the Sconce Hills pre-school playgroup in Christ Church Hall, Boundary Road, Newark.

Manager Stephanie Hughes said: “Only two were taken and luckily we still have more.

“We usually close at 3pm and I got a call just after 5pm from the mother of one of our children who had seen a youth in school uniform carrying two trikes over his shoulders.

“When she challenged him, he hurled abuse at her and she rang me straight away.”

The parent of the boy who stole the trikes has since made contact to apologise and say they would be returned.

Stephanie said it wasn’t the first time the playgroup had been targeted, describing how youths had entered the hall, which they rent, in the summer and threw equipment onto the roof.

“Before we do anything else we’re looking at getting a shed so that we can keep everything safe and secure,” she said.

“We’re putting a Halloween hamper raffle together to raise some funds and people can get tickets on our Facebook page. Hopefully doing this will deter anyone in the future.”