Relief as stolen BMX returned to athlete after thief smashed through car window to take it
A bespoke BMX bike that was stolen from the car of a young racing hopeful has been returned following an appeal.
Annabel Townsend, 19, who is from Wiltshire but is attending the University of Portsmouth, had the bike stolen at the end of last week. Having parked in the NCP car park next to Portsmouth & Southsea Railway Station she returned to her vehicle on Friday, February 13 to discover the back window had been smashed and her bike and racing gear had been stolen.
Her dad, Graham Townsend, led appeals on social media in the hope that the tight-knit BMX community would be able to help spot it. Less than a week later, the appeal came to fruition with someone contacting Annabel’s BMX club in Andover and the bike being returning to its owner.
Graham Townsend posted on social media: “The bike has now been found and returned. Thanks for everyone's help and support. We are really made up. To every single person who shared these posts, helped with support, advice, hugs and offered bikes or parts, you are all just amazing. My heart feels ready to burst.”
It is a boost to Annabel who is in training for the world championship in Brisbane, Australia in July. She finished in fifth place for her age group at last year’s world championship in Copenhagen.