BIKES available for hire in Hereford have been set on fire and a group of children were seen running from the scene.

Less than a month after one of the bikes was found in a tree near Newton Farm skate park, off Brampton Road, two others have been set alight in the same area.

Police were called shortly before 10pm on Monday evening and said around 10 children were seen "screaming, laughing and joking" as they left the scene.

Beryl Bikes said they are now working with West Mercia Police who are investigating.

"Beryl is disappointed to have learned that two of our bicycles being used in Hereford have been vandalised in this way," a spokesperson said.

"Thanks to concerned reports from the public, Beryl has swiftly retrieved the bikes and is now working with the West Mercia police to investigate this matter.

"We are extremely proud to serve the Hereford community.

"As we near one month since our launch in the city, we recognise the majority of people are using Beryl bikes frequently to get from A to B in a healthy, quick and affordable way."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 825s of August 26.

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Beryl also operates corporate dockless bike share schemes in London and recently announced a scheme in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Thursday (August 29) marks one month mark of the bikes being available in Hereford, and have so far travelled more than 8,000km.

Beryl also said they have been delighted with the response to the scheme that has seen an initial rollout of 75 bicycles increasing to 150 bikes, by early September.

RELATED NEWS: Beryl Bikes launches in Hereford

The company has also worked closely with Vision Links and the Royal National College for the Blind to ensure safe bay locations for the visually impaired community.

They are keen to connect with more community groups to make the scheme as widely accessible and beneficial as possible.