A NUMBER of bicycles have been stolen around Augusta Park this week.

Police have launched an investigation after the bicycles were stolen from communal sheds or rooms in blocks of flats throughout the evening of Friday, January 13 to the early hours of yesterday morning.

Officers are asking for anyone with information to contact them on 101 with the relevant information.

Police have advised residents to not allow anyone in the block without knowing who they are.

They have also given out advice on how best to secure their bicycles:

  • Get an approved bike lock - look for the Sold Secure logo on approved locks.
  • Always lock your bike at home, even when it is in your garage.
  • When out and about, lock your bike up in a secure location at a bike rack or lamp post.
  • Always lock your bike even if you’re only leaving it for a couple of minutes.
  • Make the locked bike difficult to manoeuvre and keep any gaps between the lock and bike frame small.
  • If you have quick release wheels, lock them up too or take them with you.
  • Remove lights from the bike and take them with you.
  • Identify and register your bike with scheme Immobilise.
  • Consider etching your postcode on to your bike frame.

Police have said they believe thieves actively use ride recording Apps, such as Strava, Endomondo and “Map my ride”, to identify where high value bikes may be kept.

This usually happens when individuals post their recorded rides to the public domain.

They believe the thieves then head over to the ride start/finish and possibly target likely garages,sheds, etc. in the area until they find what they want.

Officers advise to start recording a short way from home, and stop the recording a short way before you arrive at your door.