Arrests made in Portsmouth bike theft crackdown

Bike frames recovered by police in a raid at an address in Little Southsea Street.

Officers executed a warrant in Little Southsea Street yesterday and found one bike, four bike frames, and assorted bike parts from two sheds at the address.

All are believed to have been stolen, police said. Herbal cannabis and a small amount of class A drugs were also seized.

The raid, carried out under Portsmouth police's crackdown on biek theft, Operation Cluedo, came after a tip-off.

A police spokesman said: 'We are trying to establish who the owners of the bikes are, if they have been stolen.

'The complete bicycle is a Boardman Pro Hybrid in black with a serial number of F120620320.'

A 25 year-old man from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and has been bailed until November 10 pending further enquiries.

A 17 year-old boy from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and has been bailed until December 15 pending further enquiries.

Chief Inspector Jim Pegler said: 'We are working hard to identify people responsible for cycle theft in Portsmouth.

'People living in the city can help us to tackle the problem by reporting suspicious activity to us and using a quality D lock to secure their bike.

'My message to thieves is simple, we will catch you and we will prosecute you.

'I would remind people of ‘buyer beware’ when buying second-hand bikes. We will return items such as bikes that we identify as stolen to their rightful owners, even if they are bought in good faith.

'If you carry a bike on a vehicle bike rack then it should be locked to the vehicle if you are leaving it unattended. Please also record frame numbers and numbers for other parts using immobilise.com where you can register your property. This will hugely improve our chances of being able to reunite you with your property if it is stolen.'

Anyone who can provide information in confidence regarding cycle theft is asked to call PC Gary Morgan at Fratton Police Station on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress call, please 999.