Bike gifted to Indian traveller after theft during UK leg of world tour

New Delhi: An Indian content creator attempting a round-the-world journey by motorbike has been gifted a replacement after his own machine was stolen in Nottingham, according to the report.

Yogesh Alekari had covered about 15,000 miles (24,140 km) through 17 countries on his black, white and orange KTM 390 Adventure before the theft at Wollaton Park on 28 August. His luggage, documents and belongings valued at about £15,000 were also taken.

Following international coverage of the incident, the Off Road Bike Centre in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, offered to provide him with a new motorbike. Alekari collected it on Thursday, though the loss of his passport and licence means paperwork will delay his return to the road.

He said, "After 10 days, I can smile. I never expected this kind of support, what can I say? I am speechless. The Off Road Centre did their job beyond the imagination, I say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart."

The 30-year-old content creator, who has more than 180,000 Instagram followers and 16,000 on Facebook, had bought the original bike in April after four years of planning. His route so far has taken him through Iran, Nepal, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and several European nations including Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and the UK.

He said he now intends to continue his journey through around 30 more countries, including a planned route from Europe into Africa, once he is fully insured to ride the replacement bike. "I need a lot of things to get on the road, I'll pack my bike and as soon as possible, I will be on the road to somewhere in Africa," he said.

Benjamin Ledwidge, managing director of the Off Road Centre, said, "With it being our home town, we thought 'this bike's here, let's jump out and see if we can help him'. I don't think he believed it to begin with. We're going to follow his journey now and see how he gets on."

Nottinghamshire Police said on Monday it had located and arrested an 18-year-old man in Doncaster on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and other offences. Officers also recovered a firearm, an extendable baton and quantities of cannabis during a search of a property. The man was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Police said efforts to trace the stolen KTM continue.