A DISTRAUGHT family from Thornbury are appealing for information after their son’s bike was snatched from outside their front door.

Seven-year-old Jamie Burgess, who attends Gillingstool Primary School, had come inside for dinner on Tuesday at around 6.15pm, leaving the bike by the front door of the family house in Frome Court, Thornbury.

But ten minutes later when he returned, the orange pushbike, worth around £100 and designed to look like a motorbike, was gone.

Jamie’s mum Natalie Burgess said: “Jamie came in for no more than 10 minutes for food, went back outside and then came running in again asking where his bike had gone.

“I knew straight away that he hadn’t misplaced it as it was right by the door, and so was on the phone to the police.

“Jamie is absolutely heartbroken, he only had the bike for three weeks.

“He really enjoyed being able to go for rides with his friends, but of course he can’t now.

“He has asked me each day since if he is going to get it back today and I don’t know what to tell him.

“I am not holding out much hope of getting it back but I want to see these people caught.”

After phoning the police, Natalie took to social media to see if anyone else might have seen something or if something similar had happened nearby.

A number of people have since responded to the plea, having reported sightings of the bike in the back of a white van, with similar having gone to the police.

Neighbours have also come forward to say they briefly saw a white van near the house at the time of the theft, but had not realised the significance until speaking to Natalie later on.

Natalie said: “It is a terrible feeling to have something stolen. To have someone come up to your front door and take something is horrifying.

“The neighbours and people on social media have been wonderful, really keen to help.

“People need to watch their property because if it is left lying around, you might not see it again.”

Police have said they are investigating this incident and have asked for anyone with information that could assist their inquiries to call 10.

A police spokesman said: “We have received an index of a white van that was seen in the area around the time of the theft, reportedly acting suspiciously.

“We also received further reports later that afternoon of a similar vehicle acting suspiciously, driving slowly past houses.

“If you see any vehicles acting in this manner, in particular a white van, please make sure you take note of the registration and contact us immediately.”