A FAMILY have spoken of their shock after their huge climbing frame was stolen and sold just hours later on Facebook.
The 12ft Little Tikes 8-in-1 Playground vanished from the fenced garden of the family home in Stroud Crescent East, in Bransholme, over the bank holiday weekend.
Three men were spotted carrying the climbing frame along the street at about 11.30pm on the Saturday, having lifted it over a 5ft fence.
Mum-of-six Sally Walker is appealing for the person who bought it to contact police, so the thieves can be caught.
She said: "We know for a fact it was our play frame that was being sold on Facebook.
"Ours had the little yellow door missing and I could see from the pictures on the advert there wasn't a door on it.
"Someone around here must have bought it and I'd like that person to contact the police."
The advert on Facebook was created by a person who called himself "Dave's Dodgy" and asked for offers to be made.
The family believe it was sold the same day for at least £70 before the advert was removed.
The play frame was relied upon by the children, aged four months to 12, because their father is disabled, which makes it difficult to get out as a family.
Mrs Walker, 30, said: "I can't believe they would take something so enormous.
"You expect shed burglaries and bike thefts, but to take this, at 12ft, it's ridiculous.
"The fence has gaps in it so they would have been able to see it through the fence.
"It's so frustrating that they took it and made some money on it and didn't spare a thought for the children they stole from.
"We woke up on the Sunday morning and it had gone. The kids were really upset."
The family reported the theft to the police and provided an address of where they believed the climbing frame had been taken before it was sold, but claim police told them no one was available to visit the house for two days.
Humberside Police told the Mail they are investigating.
The spokesman said: "Police have carried out a thorough investigation into theft of a play structure from a garden in Stroud Crescent East.
"During the investigation, police carried out house-to-house enquiries in the area.
"Enquiries were completed immediately on social media for any reference to the stolen property and an appeal for information went to the media.
"Unfortunately, the offender has not been identified and the property has not been recovered.
"Police would like to speak to anyone who has information."
The frame was stolen between 9pm on Saturday, May 3, and 8.30am on Sunday, May 4.
Call 101, quoting crime reference 2042430 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
