Warning over series of bicycle thefts in Grantham

Police are appealing for information and offering a warning to residents following a series of bicycle thefts over the past few months.

Since the end of January, we have received more than 20 reports of bicycles being stolen in Grantham.

Most of the thefts have been from residential properties, but a few have been in public spaces, and the thefts have taken place in the town centre.

They are keen to hear from anyone with information or footage of any thefts, as well as any thefts not yet reported.

Police are also keen to hear from anyone who might know what is happening to the bicycles, such as a location they may be stored at, or who may be in possession of them, as well as information on sales on places like Facebook marketplace where multiple bicycles are being offered for sale from one location.

Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing Team have been carrying out dedicated patrols in the areas we know offences have been taking place. Work our end has also included following investigative avenues available such as acting on intelligence we receive, house-to-house enquiries and speaking with local residents and business, checking CCTV footage, and some other lines of enquiry we can’t talk about.

Sergeant Lee Mayfield, from the Grantham Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: “We know how upsetting it can be to have a bicycle stolen as they can be relied on for transport, to keep fit, or to spend quality time with family. It’s also really costly to replace a stolen bicycle, and simply, the people stealing them are profiting from their victims.

“We are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this, which is why are now asking for our community’s help with our investigation.

“We think that there will be people with information about who might be responsible, whether that is one person, a group working together, or several different people.

“We also want to understand where these bicycles are ending up, and whether people are trafficking these bicycles for profit, perhaps even out of the county. This might mean they are being stored somewhere, so identifying where that might be is also a priority.”

If you have information please call 101, or report online.