BRAZEN thieves targeted a special needs school in Hampshire stealing more than £5,000-worth of sports equipment.

A large metal container at Lakeside School in Chandler's Ford was raided by thieves at dawn who stole a range of outdoor leisure kit including eight bikes, and six kayaks with helmets, locks and life jackets.

The theft was made sometime between midnight and 6.40am at the Winchester Road school for children with behaviour difficulties on Monday May 12.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who has been offered any of these items for sale since then.

The haul of stolen equipment includes: eight Carrera Valour bikes in white with 16 inch frames; eight stands, locks, care packs and helmets; six Winner Velcority sit-on-top kayaks, including back brace, paddles and scupper stoppers; six Typhoon Dart buoyancy aids; six Predator adjustable kayaking helmets; six Peak Centre cag jackets; two 100-litre heavy duty dry bags with ruckstraps straps; two Peak 5 metre towlines; one Lifesystems light and dry pro First Aid Kit; one Draper Bench Toolbox, including socket set and spanners.

All bikes were coded with a metal stamp, with LS1 to 8, underneath the pedal shaft.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Ella Knight at Eastleigh police station on 101 or via hampshire.police.uk/internet/do-it-online/online-forms/message-for-officer.html.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.