Thieves steal kids’ bikes across caravan parks on Lake Pertobe Rd

Cruel thieves are destroying summer holidays, stealing bikes from children at Warrnambool caravan parks. Find out what families had to say.

Cruel thieves have stolen bikes from children holidaying in Warrnambool.

During the peak time of the year, locals and visitors have come down to enjoy a holiday at the caravan parks but soon became victims to multiple thefts.

People believed the thieves to be teens.

Skyla and Imogen who were staying at the Shipwreck Holiday Park recently had their bikes stolen from the site.

“My bike was stolen while I was asleep last night,” Skyla said, trying to stay positive.

“I still have a scooter.”

Imogen (left) and Skyla (right) were saddened to have their bikes stolen, but remain hopeful for Warrnambool Police to retrieve them. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Similarly Imogen lost her bike to the callous thieves but managed to hold onto her roller blades.

A man holidaying at Surfside, who asked not to be named, said his friend got their beers, fishing rods and their children’s bikes stolen when they were staying at the Shipwreck park.

“Unfortunately it can happen all the time,” the man said.

The thefts are becoming so common, one holiday-maker has resorted to storing her daughter‘s bike inside the caravan overnight.

“I heard them running up and down at about 11.30 last night,” the mother said.

Warrnambool woman Kaye Muscat, who was been vacationing at the Surfside Holiday Park for decades, said it had been happening for years and it wasn’t just a “one-off thing”.

“You just have to be vigilant and lock everything up,” she said.

Young teens holidaying at Surfside Holiday Park Molly, Amity, Ruby and Milla were glad their bikes were safe but are not happy with the thieves. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Visitors noticed many of the bikes were stolen near the exits of the park, where Lake Pertobe Rd is located.

“We have seen security but it seems they are not around as much as the previous years,” Maryborough man Nick Adams said.

“Because the park has emptied out, they have used the opportunity to steal the bikes that are in plain sight.”

Mount Evelyn local Steve Willcocks said he’d noticed people walking around between 2am and 3am.

“Police were also circuiting the parks most days, you see them patrolling around seven in the morning, we feel it’s a very safe environment for the children despite the thefts,” he said.

Eyewatch Warrnambool Police Service shared a Facebook post saying “Police wheelie need your help” and received “numerous reports about bicycles being stolen from caravan park sites”.

“They’re still going to take them even if they are locked up. It’s quite sad,” Facebook user Kristy Anderson commented on the post.

“We’re aware of the situation and monitoring it and we advise everyone to lock up their valuables,” Warrnambool council tourism manager Paul Thompson said.