‘Operation Ensnare’ has been launched by Brighton and Hove police to tackle the number of bike thefts in the city, and police have arrested a five teenage boys on suspicion of stealing bikes in Brighton and have recovered a haul of cycles.
On Monday (20 November) three boys, two aged 14 and one aged 16, were detained on suspicion of stealing a bike from the Southern Ring Road on the Sussex University campus and the theft of a moped. They have been released under investigation.
On Saturday (11 November) a 14-year-old boy from Hove was detained on suspicion of stealing a bike from Old Shoreham Road, Hove, and released under investigation.
On the same day while officers were making enquiries, they found three suspected stolen bikes at an address in Ringmer Road, Brighton. These were a black and orange giant mountain bike, a blue Carrera Centos mountain bike and a grey Felt road bike (pictured below).
The bikes have now been recovered and taken to Brighton police station.
Sergeant James Ward said: “We are making enquiries to try and trace the bike owners but if anyone who has had a bike stolen and thinks it maybe one of these please get in touch with us.”
A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of theft of a bike from Churchill Square Brighton last month. He admitted stealing the bike and was given a community resolution. Eight bikes were also found by officers patrolling in the Peace Gardens in Patcham, Brighton.
Anyone with information should contact police online or ring 101 quoting Operation Ensnare.
