POLICE are asking cyclists to come forward and identify their bikes after they seized £20,000 of suspected stolen parts during a raid on a shop.

Detectives believe the highspecification bikes were being stolen, broken down and the parts sold on eBay.

Because many of the bikes and parts recovered were expensive and distinctive, police are appealing for cyclists who have recently had bicycles stolen to check if any of the confiscated kit belongs to them.

Two men, both in their 20s, were arrested following the raid at the County Durham shop and have been released on police bail.

The shop, which is not being identified because of the ongoing police investigation, was raided on Friday morning. About 35 bikes and parts of bikes were seized.

PC Simon Morley, of Durham Police, said the theft of expensive bikes used by cycling enthusiasts and competitors was an increasing problem in the region.

He said: “This is a massive problem in the North-East.

“It is an emerging problem and it is gathering the same weight as the theft of satellite navigation systems a few years ago.

“We would really like the owners of these bikes to come forward and identify what belongs to them. What we are finding is the bikes and parts do not have anything on them which links them with their rightful owners.”

He said the security of cycles, particularly expensive bikes, was extremely important, and added: “This sort of equipment is extremely valuable to thieves. They can break the bikes down into parts and sell them to anyone in the UK through internet sites like eBay and they become very difficult to trace.

“The frames alone of some of the bikes we recovered were worth more than £1,000, and some of the add-ons can fetch hundreds of pounds.”

People are asked to call police on 0345-60-60-365.

Police also reminded cyclists of the importance of using adequate security on expensive bikes and equipment.