POLICE in Worcester have been work have been clamping down on bike thefts in the city centre.
Officers from the City and Cathedral Safer Neighbourhood Team have been working with partners and using both uniformed and plain-clothed patrols to focus on those trying to steal bikes.
A total of 13 people have been arrested or spoken to with regard to 14 stolen or suspected stolen bikes over a two-week period which started at the beginning of last month.
And officers have warned they will continue the action on bike thiegves, supported by representatives from Worcester BID, the Safer City Network, Worcester Community Safety Team, and the Crowngate Shopping Centre.
Of the 13 people spoken to or arrested, there have been nine positive outcomes so far – five have been charged with theft, two have been bailed pending further investigations and two are set to appear before youth courts for disposal.
There have been four ‘alternative outcomes’ where it has not been completely clear what the status of the recovered bike is – on those, further enquiries are ongoing.
Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Worcester City Centre, Tanya Beckett, said: “Working with our city centre partners, we have conducted a focused operation to target bike thieves operating in the area.
“We are pleased with the initial results but will not stop there as we continue to try and make stolen bikes ‘too hot to handle’ going forward.”
She added the public could help with the surveillance of the city centre by reporting anything suspicious, being vigilant and by working with police to protect their bikes when parked.
“Make sure you use a good quality lock or two locks, and, where possible, always leave it one of the city’s bike racks, preferably in an area that’s in good public view and covered by our network of CCTV cameras.”
To report a suspected bike theft visit the ‘Report It’ section at westmercia.police.uk or call 101.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
