Two arrested after spate of bike thefts

Guernsey Police officers have made two arrests following a spate of bike thefts on the island.

The force has urged cyclists to ensure bikes have been locked and securely stored after reports of 35 bikes, with a total value of £42,390, being stolen since October.

Sergeant Jarrod Turian said police arrested two people, with one suspect on bail pending further inquiries.

He said a second suspect was charged with three pedal cycle thefts, one in a burglary of a commercial premises, and remains on bail for further thefts still under investigation.

The force has urged cyclists to invest in cycle locks and said the best way to prevent thefts was to ensure there was "no easy opportunity" for them to be stolen.

It said bike retailers on the island would be offering a discount on cycle locks until the end of February in a bid to reduce thefts.

Inspector Adam Miller said investigations showed the thefts were "opportunistic".

"We haven't seen a big trend of bikes being re-sold or shipped off island; instead they are often found abandoned days or weeks later," he said.

"Officers will continue to stop and speak to cyclists where they can and verify the ownership of the bikes and will continue to take other proactive measures to arrest those responsible for the thefts."

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