A woman whose motorbike was stolen has appealed for help in finding it before the thieves put lives at risk.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The motorbike - a Yamaha YZF R125 - is reported to be worth �5,000.The motorbike - a Yamaha YZF R125 - is reported to be worth �5,000. (Image: Archant)

Megan McKenzie was visiting her fiancé in Dagenham on Tuesday night when she heard the sound of her bike’s engine start up outside his place.

When the 23-year-old looked out of the window of the Durham Road flat where she was staying, she saw two teenaged boys race off on the black and white bike in the direction of Oxlow Lane after they broke the steering lock.

Megan said: “It means more to me than how much money has been put into it.

“It’s my get-away from life,” she added.

Ten minutes after reporting it to the police, Megan, from Portsmouth, saw the youngsters - aged around 15 to 16 years with one wearing grey tracksuit bottoms - ride it back down the street.

Although they were too far away to recognise, the full time model claims the thieves live nearby.

“We followed them and they know the streets around here very well,” she said.

Bought two years ago and according to Megan now worth £5,000, it is not the first time the bike has been stolen.

“I had just got the bike back after it was stolen in Portsmouth,” Megan said.

“That bike has been my life,” she said. “I suffer from depression sometimes. When I get bad days I go out for a ride. It stops me feeling stressed.

“Some things in life you can’t replace,” she added.

The bike - a Yamaha YZF R125 - featured along with Megan in a music video for band Zenthetix.

But for Megan the seriousness of the crime is clear.

“In the long run it’s very serious.

“They might not know how to ride that bike properly so could be putting their own lives at risk or putting members of the public in danger,” she said.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.