Hand-Built Cycles Stolen From Kidderminster

The stolen Iron Horse cyclePolice are appealing for information following the theft of two expensive bikes from the garage of a house in Kidderminster.

It happened between around 10pm and 11.15pm yesterday, Wednesday 23 November, in Beauchamp Avenue.

They got into the garage by partially lifting the door and crawling underneath it, took the professional mountain bikes and escaped into the rear garden and over into a neighbouring garden.

Both cycles were built by the owner by purchasing the various parts, and they were worth around £2,000 each.

One was an Iron Horse downhill cycle, which was white with light green graphics, a white saddle, and red triple clamp forks. The other was an Intense 5.5 Fro, in red with black forks, black tyres and pedals, and a camouflage saddle.

Witnesses or anyone with information, including anyone who see the cycles offered for sale, is asked to contact PC Adrian Bartlett or PC Derya Mustafa at West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 578-s-231111 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A bike similar to the stolen Intense cyclePolice are advising householders who store expensive bikes or other property in their garages or sheds to consider how their security could be improved.

Cycles should ideally attached to something bulky or a floor or wall-mounted anchor post using a good quality cycle lock.

A strong hasp bolted to both the door and frame can be used with a good padlock to add extra security, and internal bars or grilles fitted over windows.

Mark cycles with the postcode and house number so if they are stolen and recovered they can be returned to their owner. There are a variety of ways of doing this, including using forensic marking solutions.

It is also a good idea to photograph cycles and place them on the national property register, Immobilise (http://www.immobilise.com/)

More crime prevention information is available within the advice section of West Mercia Police's website at http://www.westmercia.police.uk/, or an information leaflet entitled Steer Clear of Cycle Theft is downloadable free of charge from the internet and can also be obtained from police stations.

For further tips about protecting cycles from thieves, an information leaflet entitled  Steer Clear of Cycle Theft is downloadable free of charge from the Internet, and is also available from police stations.

Issued: Friday, 25 November 2011