School's special trike still missing

Police are looking for a specialised adult-sized tricycle that was stolen during a burglary of a Hastings school.

It was among three trikes and bikes used by special needs students and which were missing when the burglary at Heretaunga Intermediate School in Orchard Rd was discovered on Saturday.

One trike and a tandem bike were found a short distance from the school on Sunday afternoon, and Senior Sergeant Luke Shadbolt, of Hastings Police, said late yesterday he believed the second trike was still in the area.

Also stolen was sports gear, including soccer balls emblazoned with World Cup team names, and tee-ball and softball items identified with school or classroom names. Some gear was in a black fabric bag.

Acting Kowhai Special School principal Sarah Roil said it was a heartbreaking moment on Saturday when she learned the bikes had been stolen. Adapted for the use of special needs students in Hastings they were together worth about $17,000.

Kowhai Special has had the bikes at least three years and they are used at the school or others such as Heretaunga, Raureka, Hastings Central, or Flaxmere College where projects for special needs students are staged.