Police appeal Theft victims urged to check gallery of seized bicycles
POLICE are reissuing an appeal in a final bid to identify the owners of more than 100 bikes seized in January.
Since Avon and Somerset police published an online gallery of items seized in Hanham, the owners of more than 20 items have been confirmed.
Now the force is asking theft victims to check the gallery and contact police if they spot their missing property.
Officers seized a haul of 125 bicycles and frames, and more than 60 other items, mainly power tools, from the address, but were only able to identify 11 bikes as stolen through searching police systems.
“This is because many people don’t record the serial number and description of their bikes or tools, and don’t mark them to make them identifiable either,” a force spokesperson said.
“Police know that some people even don’t bother reporting such thefts. This seizure shows it’s always worth reporting, as well as the benefits of property recording and marking.
“Officers still want to hear from you if you recognise an item as yours – even if you’ve claimed on your insurance and replaced it.
“Your statement could help us build a case to take to court.”
A man arrested in connection with the seizure remains released under investigation.
Some of the identified bikes were taken from Bradley Stoke, Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare in thefts dating back several years.
But officers believe some of the bikes and tools could have been stolen from Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
The recovered mountain bikes and racing bikes include Beone, Boardman, Cannondale, Carrera, Cube, Giant, GT, Marin, Orange, Orbea, Planet X, Specialized, Trek and Whyte makes.
The power tools include Bosch, Hilti, Husqvarna, Makita, Stanley, Snap-on and Stihl.
“You’ll need to submit a short form with your contact details and proof of ownership/purchase,” the spokesperson said.
“Over the next few months, officers will arrange open day events to enable owners to collect their property, once the items are no longer needed as evidence.”
You can make it harder for thieves to steal your bikes and easier for police officers to identify property as stolen:
» Where possible, securely store your bicycles in your home. If this isn’t possible, ensure they are kept in a secure outbuilding such as an alarmed and locked shed or garage
» Always lock your bicycles to something immovable like a wall or floor anchor or a railing
» Double lock your bikes using two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-Lock
» Get your bikes and tools security marked and registered at www. BikeRegister.com
» Record the details of your bicycles and tools including noting the frame or serial number and take photos including any distinctive marks.
Visit avonandsomerset.police. uk/news/recovered-stolen-items.