Police warnings following bike thefts (From Warrington Guardian)

Police warning following bike thefts in Lymm, Stockton Heath and Latchford

1:00pm Wednesday 12th September 2012 in News

POLICE are reminding people to be security conscious following a spate of mountain bike thefts across south Warrington.

Bikes have been stolen from Lymm, Latchford and Stockton Heath over the past two months, with bikes taken from Thelwall Lane and Oldham Street earlier this month.

Police believe thieves may be targeting the bikes and selling them on as scrap metal.

PC Richard Whitehead, beat manager for Latchford, said: “Thieves have been chancing it by going back to sheds where bikes have been taken from to see if they have reappeared.

“People shouldn’t be leaving bikes on show or unsecured in communal areas as it is easy picking for criminals. People can help to deter thieves by investing in a security light in gardens, or near to where bikes are stored.”

He also renewed his advice of encouraging people to lock bikes to the floor or to heavy items, such as lawn mowers to make it more difficult for items to be removed.

Police at Stockton Heath Police Station can mark the bikes. For more information call PCSO James Butterworth on 01606 363630.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call police on 101.