Police warning over cycle thefts

CYCLISTS in Warrington are being warned to secure their bikes when they leave them following a spate of thefts in the town.
Several bikes have been stolen during the past few weeks – with Latchford being a “hotspot” for this type of crime.
Bikes have been stolen from outside shops and other buildings and residents are being urged to be vigilant.
Police Community Support Officer James Butterworth said: “We are urging anyone who owns a bicycle to be on their guard while out and about. It is easy to get distracted and forget to do the little things, but people need to ensure their bike is secure before they leave it unattended.”
He urged people to invest in a good quality bike lock and use it if they leave their bike unattended, even for a short time.
“Never be tempted to prop your bike up against a wall while you nip into a shop – it only takes a minute for a thief to steal it,” he said. “We would also encourage cyclists not to attach their bicycle to something which could easily be moved or cut and try to leave it in a well-lit area where there are a lot of people around.”
At home people should store bikes in a garage, shed or outbuilding, and keep the building locked at all times with a secure lock that cannot be forced or cut through.
Other ideas include securing bikes to a building or using ground mounted anchoring systems which lock items to the floor, and to security mark bikes to show identity and help recovery if stolen.
Anyone with information can contact Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000, or pass on information anonymously via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.