AN AUTISTIC boy was left devastated after thieves stole the handlebars from his cherished bike.

The BMX bike was given to 13-year-old Thomas Langstaff as a birthday present this year after the whole family chipped in.

Thomas, of Sedge Way, Carterton, said: “I’m angry because I got it for my birthday and someone has gone and taken it off me.

“These people are selfish and only think about themselves.

“It was my favourite thing and I would ride it every day.

The Carterton Community College pupil added: “I can’t go out with my friends on my bike now. I am still angry about it.”

When mum Cara Langstaff, 37, opened the outdoor storage unit where the family bikes are kept she couldn’t believe that the black handlebars were missing.

Mrs Langstaff said: “The bike is precious to him and losing the handlebars is like losing an arm.

“I just can’t believe someone would do this sort of thing.

“They obviously came prepared because they used an allan key and took the brakes off but left the wires.

“The bike was locked up against a bike frame.

“It feels like it was personal but it probably wasn’t.

“Thomas is still angry and he can’t go out riding with his friends.”

The bars were missing on the morning of Saturday, November 5, having been last seen the previous evening.

The bike is a matt black Mongoose BMX bike with multicoloured stickers on it.

The handlebars may have had some blue stickers on them.

She said: “I would ask anyone who knows anything about this to report it.

“I ask parents to come forward as well if their children have got handlebars that are not theirs.”

Thomas was diagnosed with a mild form of autism, which impairs social interaction, when he was in primary school.

Mrs Langstaff said: “Even though it is mild it does affect him. When he is angry he doesn’t know what to do about it.

“This theft has made him really down and all he can talk about is his bike.”

Pc Tracey Frazer, of Witney police station, said: “The bike means everything to the victim.

“He cannot ride his bike without the handlebars and his mother can’t afford to replace them.

“I would like to speak to anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously around the time of the offence or knows the location of the stolen item.”

Anyone with any information can contact the police on the non-emergency number 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.