A BIKE belonging to a vulnerable Deeside resident has been stolen.

Police said the bike, belonging to 37-year-old Adam Gibbons who has learning difficulties, was taken from outside his property in Shotton some time overnight on Monday (October 7).

Adam, who has ADHD and epilepsy, uses the bike to get to and from his workplace at Asda Queensferry, and Dad Ian believes the incident is endemic of a growing problem of crime in Deeside.

He said: "While people might point to leaving the bike unsecured, unfortunately Adam does not think or behave like you and I - he is much more trusting of people.

"I wouldn't say crime in Deeside has reached epidemic levels, but it's not far off - there seems to be a feeling of lawlessness around here.

"Shotton's becoming a no-go area and that is so sad for a town which has such a rich and proud industrial past."

Adam was buying his bike through Asda's 'ride to work scheme' - which saw money come out of his monthly pay, meaning he still has the debt but no longer the bike.

But while Ian believes crime is on the rise, he has been touched by how the Deeside community has rallied him and Adam.

He said: "The wider Deeside community has been brilliant, everyone has shared the appeal and is keeping an eye out for it - it's great that there are so many good people out there, something we can't forget in all this."

A North Wales Police spokesman said: "We received a call at 8.23am on Monday that a mountain bike had been stolen from a property in Shotton.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

Anyone with information which can help police with their investigation can call 101 quoting reference number X146242.