Warning over pattern of high value bicycle thefts in Henleaze, Westbury-on-Trym, Westbury Park and Stoke Bishop

A ‘pattern’ of high value bicycle thefts has occurred in neighbourhoods in the north west of the city - with the matter being taken ‘extremely seriously’ by police.

There were 14 break-ins reported in Henleaze, Westbury-on-Trym, Westbury Park and Stoke Bishop across two weeks at the start of last month, with most seeing sheds, garages and outbuildings targeted for bicycles.

The matter has been raised with Bristol North West MP Darren Jones, who has subsequently received a letter from Avon and Somerset Police’s chief constable Sarah Crew on what is being done to tackle the crime spree.

Chf Con Crew said that the ‘pattern’ of burglaries emerged in Henleaze just before Christmas, before spreading into Westbury-on-Trym, Westbury Park and Stoke Bishop at the start of the new year.

The offenders have been targeting high-value bicycles, stealing them mainly from sheds, garages and outbuildings.

Latest data from police.uk also shows 24 burglaries were reported in Henleaze and Westbury-on-Trym in December - up from just five the year before.

Increased patrols and posting leaflets advising residents on how to secure outbuildings is some of the work police are doing under a ‘problem solving plan’ to tackle the issue, said Chf Con Crew.

Around 150 bikes have also been ‘marked’ by officers, allowing them to return stolen bikes with their owner should they be found.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in our own  homes and this is why burglary has a very personal effect on victims,” said Chf Con Crew in the letter.

She has also urged residents to report suspicious behaviour to the police, after residents said they had caught offenders in the act but hadn’t reported it to authorities.

She wrote: “I am told that several residents reported having seen suspicious behaviour in the area, even offenders being disturbed in the act, but hadn’t reported it to the police at the time, mainly because they were unsure as the best way to do this.”

She added: “Understandably, local residents may be unaware of the full spectrum of work that takes place in response to such matters, but I hope this information provides some reassurance.

“It is likely that the same individuals are responsible for the majority, if not all of these offences and with the help of the community, it is just a matter of time before they are hopefully caught and prosecuted.”

Home Office figures covering the 12 months up to September last year showed there were 1,620 bicycle thefts in Bristol reported to Avon and Somerset Police - the equivalent of almost five bike thefts each day.

In October, Eric Booth, a long-standing member of Bristol Cycling Campaign, said he was concerned that the high number of bike thefts in the city could put people off using two wheels.

“With cycling being a very delicate issue, we worry that a theft could lead to someone giving up, which for a city like Bristol and its aspirations, could be a big problem for us,” he said.

The campaign group is asking Bristol City Council to install 1,000 bike hangars - secure, covered spaces for residents to park their bikes - by 2024.

A total of 15 bike hangers are currently in place, including in Windmill Hill.

As part of plans for residential neighbourhoods for areas across the city, Bristol City Council has said it is looking to provide more of the secure bike storage units.