A COUPLE are appealing for help in tracing their missing motorbike gear.

Maggie Gabanski and Robert Whitworth, of Edgehill Close, Rawthorpe, fell victim to thieves on Thursday May 13.

The couple - both keen motorcycle tourers - had just returned from a biking holiday in Holland.

Mr Whitworth's car was outside their flat with his biking gear still inside.

Thieves managed to break through the car's brake and steering locks, but could not start the car because of its immobiliser.

So they pushed it away from the flat and stripped it of valuables, including Mr Whitworth's expensive motorbike leathers and helmet.

The leathers are a distinctive one-piece set in mid-blue, with fluorescent yellow flashes. They have very worn leather knee sliders.

A pair of men's size nine Axo boots - also blue with yellow flashes - were stolen, along with a black Suomy helmet and a pair of black gloves.

The gear is worth almost £1,000.

The thieves also broke through two locks on the couple's garage and took Miss Gabanski's Kawasaki ER500 motorcycle.

They removed the strong bike lock, but failed to start the machine.

Instead, they dumped it in a garden on nearby Brownroyd Avenue and set it on fire.

Miss Gabanski said: "It was just 2ft from a 92-year-old lady's flat. Her window was cracked by the heat.

"I have been told by the police it is not likely they can catch the culprits, but because Rob's biking gear is distinctive, they say people might recognise it.

"All I would say is if you are offered this equipment for sale, don't take it. Report it to the police."