Brazen thieves steal bikes from Melbourne special needs school

Students at a special school in Melbourne have been left devastated after their entire supply of mountain bikes was stolen.

Authorities believe the offenders, who could be as young as 11, targeted Port Phillip Specialist School from Friday.

More than 20 bikes, donated to the school by charity groups, were reportedly stolen over three consecutive nights, according to 3AW.

CCTV caught a group of the offenders riding the bikes on Farrell Street, moments after the breaking through an unsecured opening in the school gate.

Principal Juliet Cooper told 9NEWS staff suspect the robbers had planned the robbery.

“Fences had been cuts, gates were damaged,” Ms Cooper said.

Four bikes have since been recovered - one in a garden, others in a Port Melbourne park.

Ms Cooper said the school is now hoping for more generosity to replace all the bikes, which are used for sports classes and camps.

“We’ve put a callout to community members to support us again.”