Officers are hunting thieves who cut through a lock and stole a bike outside a train station.
British Transport Police (BTP) have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to in connection with the theft at Upminster Station.
The bike was stolen at 2.50pm on November 5 after the 33-year-old victim had secured it in the cycle shed at 7.30am.
He returned at 5.10pm to find the lock cut and the bike gone.
PC Jack Bower-Wilson is investigating. He said: “Enquiries have been ongoing since the incident took place to establish who took the bike and I am today releasing a photograph of a man and woman I would like to speak to as I believe they will have key information.”
“Unfortunately, bikes remain a desirable target for many thieves at train stations. BTP is cracking down on this type of crime and we have a dedicated team of officers specifically focused on tackling this issue.”
PC Bower-Wilson said officers are working to catch thieves in the act by speaking with cycle and second-hand shops and monitoring online auction and advertising sites to make it more difficult for thieves to sell on stolen bikes.
Anyone with information should call BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
In all calls, please quote incident reference B13/ESUB of 01/12/14.
Advice for keeping your bike safe and secure:
Always lock your frame and both wheels to a cycle stand when leaving your bike.
Consider using more than one lock to secure your bike and ensure you use a recognised security standard lock like a D-lock, extension cable or heavy chain lock.
Make the locks and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked by ensuring little room between the stand and the bike.
Do not allow your locks to come into contact with the ground, where they are viewed as more vulnerable.
Take a photograph of your bike and record your frame number and key details. This will be crucial in recovering your bike if it is stolen.
Mark your frame with your postcode in two separate locations, one of which should be hidden. Attach a Coded Cycle label to reduce the risk of making your bike a target for theft.
Don’t ride with valuables in open baskets or panniers.
Register your bicycle at immobilise.com orbikeregister.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here