A PRESTONPANS mum is on the hunt for her son’s £400 bicycle after it was stolen right in front of him.

Donna Kinsey of Prestonpans Crescent received a call from her son, 12-year-old Hamish, in tears after he witnessed someone steal his Specialized Pitch 650B red mountain bike.

She told the Courier: “He was out playing with his mates on the grassy bit opposite Lidl.

“He had put his bike down and next thing his mate was saying: ‘That guy’s got your bike.’ Hamish was so upset. He started crying, and a passing guy, about 20 years old, asked what was happening.”

At this point, Hamish pointed after the culprit, explaining what had happened, and the young man ran in pursuit but was unable to catch up.

Donna said: “I understand the police have low resources, and they are doing what they can, but sometimes it feels like people are just being allowed to behave in a certain way.

“I totally do understand priorities but Hamish is innocent, he doesn’t understand.”

After speaking to the police, Donna posted a picture of the red mountain bike on social media in the hope that someone might find it. And although he had not seen Hamish’s bike, a well-wisher was still able to help out.

Donna said: “A guy commented saying that he had a bike that Hamish could use for the summer.

“Originally, we were just going to borrow it so that Hamish could still go and play with his mates but ended up buying it off him instead. It was really kind of him, real community spirit.We haven’t quite given up hope that the bike can be found and returned to us.”

Hamish starts Preston Lodge High School next month.

Police are investigating the incident and anybody with any information should call 101, quoting incident number 3503 of June 30.