WE are a family who have not long moved to Morecambe and I want, through your letters pages, to talk about the level of crime in the area.

My 12-year-old son's bike was stolen from our front drive as I watched. The thief looked at me and grinned as he ran off with it. We chased after him but he escaped down a nearby back alley.

Now I know it's not the biggest crime in the world and I know it happens all the time. But what worries me is the fact that this happens so often nobody even raises an eyebrow around here.

That bike meant a lot to my son. We promised him it if he worked hard at school and he slaved away for a year before we got him it. He has had his friends searching the area for it. I just want to make your readers aware that every small crime like this has a sad story behind it.

We are offering a reward for the mountain bike which had double suspension and was unique. It was taken at about 1pm on Sunday. I'm not bothered even about the insurance money - I just want it back for my son and to make your readers aware of the little tales of woe behind the ever growing number of crimes in our town.

Dawn Critchlow Balmoral Rd Morecambe

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