Thieves target collection of bikes

A CYCLIST’S holiday plans have been left in tatters after thieves broke into his shed and stole mountain bikes worth thousands of pounds in what he believes is a targeted attack.

Scott Hill was set to cycle to the north of Scotland this week to spend a few nights camping and enjoying the scenery.

But last week four of his prized mountain bikes were stolen, ruining his trip.

The 29-year-old had been looking after one of the bikes for a friend.

The Ikea worker from Bilston, Midlothian, had locked all four securely in his shed, but he believes thieves prised open the lock with a screwdriver before stealing the cycles, which were chained together.

Among those taken were an Orange Patriot costing £2,300, a Club Roost XC4 costing £1,500 – both bought in 2006 – and a Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt which he paid £2,100 for in 2015.

Mr Hill believes the bikes were targeted because they were “fairly rare” and are good on off-road terrain. He said: “This has clearly been a targeted attack. I’m devastated. The thieves would have had to go through my neighbours’ garden to get to mine.

“I always ensure I lock the bikes up securely at night. I don’t drive. They are what I use to get around.”.

They were taken sometime between October 19 and 20.