Racer left devastated as thieves steal three bikes worth £20,000

Man’s garage at Scone Airport broken into over the weekend

A Perthshire racer has been left devastated after thieves stole three of his prize bikes worth around £20,000.

Paul Wishart, from Methven, discovered his bespoke vehicles had been stolen when he received a call saying his garage at Scone Airport had been broken into some time between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Paul, a mechanic, has been collecting and adding to his bike collection since he took up the sport 16 years ago.

The bikes are a KTM XCW 150, a Honda CRF450 Supermoto and a Yamaha R6.

Paul, 32, said: “I’m just totally devastated about it. My head is just all over the place at the moment.

“They’re bespoke bikes I’ve made over the years, they’re probably worth in total around £20,000.

“It’s a lot money. I’ve worked all my life to get these things for my hobby.”

The racer believes the thieves will find it hard to sell his bikes due to the work he has done to them and has launched an appeal for their return.

Paul said: “They would be reported if someone tried to sell them on because they’re quite unique.

“It’s a tight-knit community, the biking world, so if they did try and sell them in that scene then I think it would come back to me.

“One of them I bought brand new which I do my endurance events with, and on the racing bike I’ve spent a lot of money on the suspension to get it competitive.”

The thieves broke into Paul’s lock-up at Scone Airport some time after 4pm on Friday and before he got the call at 3pm on Saturday.

Paul said: “The garage was padlocked and had a van parked in front of it.

“They’ve broken the padlock and dragged the van out the way.

“There was a pole lying in the garage that they used to break in and the police have taken that away for forensics.”

The bike enthusiast, who was just returning to the sport after taking a year out to look after his young child, is now in the process of installing CCTV at his garage. He has encouraged anyone with information to get in touch with himself or the police.

Paul said: “Any information at this time would help in a huge way.”

If they did try and sell them in that scene then I think it would come back to me. PAUL WISHART