Recovery of stolen bikes

Dear residents,

Officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team recently recovered four suspected stolen bicycles that had been concealed in bushes by a group of moped-enabled offenders. It is believed that the bikes were stolen using battery-powered angle grinders to cut through locks before being hidden for later collection.

Following enquiries, two of the recovered bicycles have already been successfully reunited with their rightful owners and efforts are ongoing to identify and locate the owners of the remaining bikes. The bikes where only identified thankfully due to the owners having the serial numbers and registered on the BikeRegister which anyone can do for free!

This incident highlights the importance of securing bicycles properly and registering ownership details. To help protect your bike from theft, please consider the following advice:

✅ Use a high-quality Sold Secure rated D-lock or chain lock.

✅ Secure both the frame and wheels to an immovable object.

✅ Avoid leaving bikes in isolated or poorly lit areas.

✅ Register your bicycle for free on BikeRegister and record the frame serial number.

✅ Consider using more than one lock, as thieves are often deterred by additional security measures.

✅ Remove accessories such as lights, GPS devices and bags when leaving your bike unattended.

✅ If possible, store bicycles indoors or in a secure locked shed or garage.

If you believe your bicycle may have been stolen and have not yet reported it, please ensure you report the theft and provide the bicycle's frame number to assist with identification and recovery.

Anyone with information about bicycle thefts or suspicious activity in the area is encouraged to contact police via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Together, we can help reduce bicycle theft and keep our community safe. 🚲🔒