More security at universities after string of bike thefts

Security has been stepped up on university campuses in the city after a spate of bike thefts.

Students and staff are being advised to lock their bicycles as securely as possible, and extra patrols of storage areas are being undertaken.

At least eight bikes, together worth thousands of pounds, have been taken recently in what appear to be targeted thefts at the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Creative Arts.

Police say they were often stolen in daylight, with thieves using equipment to cut through locks. Other thefts have also been reported across the city in recent weeks.

Among the bikes taken was a black and red Pinnacle cyclocross worth £900 from a shed outside Kemsdale Court on the University of Kent campus, during the afternoon of Thursday, October, 13. On the same day, a white and green road bike worth £800 was stolen from a bike shed at Eliot College.

The latest, shared on the Canterbury Residents Group Facebook page, was posted by student Nathan Harris.

He reported having his silver Trek 7.4FX stolen after it was left locked by the steps to the UKC campus in St Stephen’s Hill on Tuesday morning.

Canterbury Christ Church University spokesman Holly Finch said: “As well as an increased security presence on campus, the university has held extra safety days to ensure bicycles are secured in the best possible way, and encouraged members of our community to log their bicycles on the bike register scheme.

“We would like to reassure staff, students and visitors who travel by bicycle that we are remaining vigilant to prevent any further thefts.” UKC spokesman Kiran Dhaliwal said it too is working with police, who are appeal- ing for information. Call police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference ZY/36816/16.

David King, 38, of Craddock Road, Canterbury, appeared before Medway magistrates via virtual court on Tuesday and admitted taking a bike from Keynes College three days earlier.

He was given a 40-day prison sentence, suspended for a year, together with a six-month drug treatment rehabilitation order.

The Trek bike belonging to Nathan Harris, which has been stolen