A MUM is calling for better security at a leisure centre after her son’s bike was stolen.

Jo Hartnoll said her son Brandon Easton had visited Leisure World in Colchester with his friend, Oliver.

The 15-year-old Gilberd School student had cycled to the leisure centre in Cowdray Avenue to go swimming.

Brandon and his friend locked up their bikes outside at about 4pm but when they went to collect their bikes at about 6.15pm they were not there.

Jo said: “The locks were gone too. Both Brandon and his friend, Oliver, went into Leisure World and told the receptionist what had happened.

“They told him bikes are left at the owner’s risk and it is nothing to do with him.

“Both of them are devastated.

“Oliver only got his bike last month as a birthday present.

“Brandon’s is two years old but it’s an expensive bike as they are a bit rarer than the average bike.”

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Jo, from Highwoods, Colchester, is calling for more CCTV or security staff outside Leisure World.

She said: “It’s a popular place where you would think your children and their property would be safe.

“It was on their property so surely they should have adequate security surrounding the place.

“They were locked on the bike racks just at the front of Leisure World.”

The incident was reported to police but the family was told there are no further investigation opportunities at this time.

A spokesperson for Colchester Council, which runs Leisure World, said: “Unfortunately, Leisure World is not unique in experiencing this type of crime.

“The number of bike thefts reported is low in comparison to the volume of customers who cycle to the venue, which we estimate is in the region of 20 to 30 each day.

“However, we take property theft extremely seriously and will always assist police investigations by sharing our CCTV footage if requested.

“We would advise cyclists to use the bike racks and Byke Bins available for cycle parking at Leisure World and to ensure they use a good quality lock to reduce the risk of theft.

“We continue to work with the police to help increase security measures in the area that may help reduce the risk of this type of crime at Leisure World.”

Anyone with information about the theft on Sunday June 30 should call police on 101.