Stolen bike recovered after being swiped from France bound tourist vehicle as man arrested in Portsmouth
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Holidaymakers have been targeted by thieves
A man has been arrested after an expensive bike was stolen from a tourist vehicle.
The car was bound to catch a ferry to France before it was swiped 45 minutes before boarding. Thieves have been targeting holidaymakers across several streets in the vicinity of Portsmouth International Port - prompting an increase in patrols.
Portsmouth Police confirmed in a social media statement that a black and green Giant Talon mountain bike has been found and reunited with its owner. “The bike had been stolen on August 4 from the rear of a tourist’s vehicle, and luckily, we managed to reunite it with its owner, who was at the ferry port with 45 minutes to spare before they returned to France,” the force added.
“An 18-year-old man from Portsmouth has been arrested on suspicion of five counts of theft from a motor vehicle, conspiring to steal from a motor vehicle and criminal damage to property. He has been bailed with conditions until November 8 while enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.”
the Buckland and Nelson Neighbourhood Policing Team have been carrying out patrols at various hotspots. Car parks have been targeted in Gunwharf Road, Kingston Crescent, Eastney and Clarence Esplanades, Commercial Road and the International ferry port.
From a previous appeal, a matte blue Cube bicycle was recovered by officers. High-value bikes and e-bikes, often used by tourists, are particularly vulnerable.
One man was arrested on August 7 after being stopped and searched. He was detained on suspicion of going equipped to steal and possession of cannabis.
The following day on August 8, a 17-year-old man from Buckland was arrested on suspicion of conspiring with others to commit theft from motor vehicles, specifically targeting high-value bicycles and e-bikes.
Portsmouth police previously said he has been bailed with strict conditions while enquiries continued. Between August 6 and 8, three stolen bicycles were recovered.