POLICE are urging cyclists to secure their bikes following a series of high value thefts in a County Durham town.

An Identiti Dr Jekyl jump bike was stolen from the conservatory of a property at Hambleton Court in Newton Aycliffe sometime overnight on Wednesday, February 19.

The bike features 24-inch SAS Halo wheels, “Crazy Bob” jump tyres, disc brakes and “Face Race” cranks, with small blue paint patches.

Earlier this month, between 11pm on Wednesday, February 12, and 3pm the next day, thieves broke into a garage attached to a house at Hunters Green in Newton Aycliffe, and made off with two bikes.

One of the bikes was a new battery-powered Cube hybrid pro-reaction carbon-framed racing model, worth £2,300.

The bike was black with green markings and had a bag rack over the rear wheel, aluminium race pedals and Panasonic tyres with reflective tyre walls.

A Focus Cayo Evo Dura Ace road bike with a black carbon frame, Speedplay pedals and 18 gears was also stolen and is valued at £3,300.

Detective Constable Anne Wraith, of Newton Aycliffe serious crime team, said: “The battery-powered bike was stolen without the battery charger, and once the battery is drained the bike is difficult to pedal.

“We believe these bikes may be of interest to a specialist rider or a specialist cycle shop.”

Last December, Durham Police launched Operation Spoke, an initiative run in conjunction with cycle retailers to provide security marking and other crime prevention or detection measures.

To find out more, contact PCSO Richie Scott at Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101, extension 673 2602.

Anyone with information about the thefts should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.