A DEVASTATED youngster was left cursing his luck after thieves snatched his scooter from a popular skate park.

Alfie Charlton, 13, was putting his skills to the test with a group of friends at the park, at Leisure World, Colchester, when he left his treasured scooter unguarded for a few minutes.

When he returned the scooter, which is custom built and worth hundreds of pounds, had vanished.

His mother Gemma Cooper, from Colchester, is appealing for witnesses and information to help track it down.

The scooter was snatched at about 9.30am on Sunday.

“He stupidly left his scooter for a moment, went off round the corner and when he came back it wasn’t there,” said Gemma.

“Alfie was probably gone for ten to 15 minutes.

“He admits it was a mistake, but everyone makes mistakes.

“I haven’t even called the police yet because he left it, I doubt there is much they could do.

“He is really upset, his scooter is custom built so he cannot exactly go and buy a replacement.

“He is devastated as now he can’t ride.

“He absolutely loves it, most kids are inside playing videogames but he is always out on his scooter.”

Alfie had spent months gathering the necessary parts to build the scooter.

The enthusiastic youngster had only managed to enjoy the scooter for two weeks before it was stolen.

It has purple and black wheels, a Crisp Scooters sticker on the front and a black deck. Someone has said they saw someone riding through Castle Park with a similar scooter around the same time, but it will be tricky to distinguish it.

“Hopefully someone saw something around 9.30am or 10am.

“I am very upset for him, he does compete in competitions - he is very good. Now he won’t be able to ride.

“He got a few of the bits and pieces for his birthday and the rest he managed to buy through money he had carefully saved.

“He has only had it for two weeks - it probably took about six months to get it built.”

Mrs Cooper has not yet reported the theft to the police.

Anyone with information about the missing scooter can contact the Gazette via email to tom.dalby@nqe,com or 01206 508288.