CHILDREN having parties across Swindon this summer could be left deflated after thieves stole a trailer containing £12,000 worth of bouncy castles.

The former Metropolitan Police trailer was taken from its parking spot just off Whitehouse Road, in Gorse Hill, some time between 9pm on Saturday, February 21 and 9am the following day.

The nine-foot high vehicle is one of only three decommissioned police trailers left in the country after the mobile incident rooms were sold by the force nine years ago.

Since then it has doubled as a mobile disco and, more recently, delivered inflatable forts to expectant children around Swindon and the south-west. Business owner Howard Tucker said the loss would be keenly felt over the coming months unless the distinctive trailer and its contents were found.

“This has been a big blow, because five of our eight castles have been taken, including all the children’s party castles and one of the adult versions,” the 57-year-old said.

“It is not the first time we have had some castles stolen, as our garage has been broken into in the past.

“Until now we thought it was just people trying their luck, but this time it’s different.”

The five castles are marked with the name of the company Howard bought the castles from, Squeels, and as police will instantly recognise features of the trailer it will not be easy for the offenders to sell them on.

“The trailer has various things in it and on it that would make that obvious to the police, but not necessarily members of the public,” Howard added.

“The police come up and down this road every 10 minutes with their lights on, and this is a nine-foot trailer which won’t fit in someone’s garage. It must be parked in a street somewhere.

“It is fully decked out with seating and electricity, and is as it was when the police used it as an incident room.

“This is having a big impact because the people who come to us have done so for years and book last minute, so there are going to be a lot of disappointed children at the end of the day.”

PCSO Andy Deller, of the Gorse Hill neighbourhood policing team, said encouraging leads were being followed and appealed for anyone who may have seen suspicious activity around Ferndale Road or Whitehouse Road last weekend to get in touch.

“The items that are stolen are of a high value, and there is currently no positive information about the culprit,” he said.

“The family have had the theft of their trailer along with five bouncy castles and relative items, including pumps, blow fans and general kit.

“We are conducting house to house enquiries and CCTV checks in the local area, and at the same time there are other avenues and lines of enquiry being explored. This is quite a unique item and it is likely someone would have seen this trailer being removed.

“It is quite distinctive as a former Metropolitan Police trailer, and the contents would cost around £12,000 to replace.

“We would appeal to any member of the public who has seen this trailer, or anyone acting suspiciously or taking photographs in the area.”

Anyone with information can call Wiltshire Police on 101 quoting crime reference 54150016623.