Staff at a new business that helps tutor people from disadvantaged backgrounds have been left “distraught” after its 'Bumblebee' moped was ripped apart by thieves.
TutorHive, based in North End Road, Wembley, says that its service to connect customers with private tutors best suited to their needs helps “bridge the gaps left by a fractured education system”.
But the start-up business feels it has been set back after thieves targeted its electric moped on December 2 at 3am.
The firm used the bike for pop-up events in Brent, St George’s Shopping Centre in Harrow, and other surrounding areas.
Co-founder Rushab Shah said the bike was "destroyed" after thieves “ripped" the front off the bike to break into the box under the seat.
He added: “After stealing the contents, they proceeded to destroy our bike and steal the battery, which is worth £20 on the open market.”
Mr Shah said that he is “really distraught and disheartened" by the "cruel" actions.
He said: “As a start-up, trying to be the change and, you know, help people do better, this is really, really upsetting for us.
“[We] put a lot of hard work and an effort to what we’re doing and this is the sort of stuff that happens. It’s really tough.”
Images shared with the Brent & Kilburn Times show the extent of the damage with the front of the bike ripped off and its workings exposed.
The CEO added that the team is lucky they did not leave anything valuable inside the box, which was stolen, but expressed how upset he was that the bike itself was damaged.
The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment.
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