BRITISH Transport Police (BTP) officers are calling on members of the public to name five prolific cycle thieves wanted in connection with a spate of cycle thefts across Sussex.
The men, a group of four working together and a man working separately, are wanted as part of two separate investigations and are together responsible for over twenty cycle thefts in Hampshire and Sussex, some of which date back to 2010.
Inspector Mick Morriss said: “We were only initially able to link a few offences to these men but the true extent of their criminality was uncovered through viewing hours of CCTV footage, pinpointing them at various rail stations in Hampshire and Sussex on the dates cycles were stolen.
“We’ve followed countless avenues of enquiry to try and get names for these five, including circulating their images in the media and on police intelligence systems, including to local neighbourhood policing teams across Hampshire and Sussex.
“We’ll continue to conduct plain-clothes and uniform patrols in a bid to apprehend these men. If you know them we want to hear from you.”
Images one to four show men officers want to speak to in connection with at least nine cycle thefts in West Worthing, Barnham, Bognor Regis, Southampton, Chichester and Eastleigh between October 2011 and March 2012.
Image five shows a man wanted separately in connection with 13 cycle thefts in Hampshire dating back to July 2010.
Inspector Morriss added: “Unfortunately cycles are a popular target for thieves but there are several steps people can take to ensure their bikes are adequately secured and marked to help reduce their risk of becoming a victim.
“Make sure you use a solid lock to secure your bike and remember to register it. If a bike is adequately marked, it makes it much easier to identify and therefore reduces its desirability to thieves.”
Anyone who the men pictured in the CCTV images should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B12/LSA of 11/05/12, quoting the image number.
Comments