Worthing Police Crack Down on Bike Thieves: Multiple Arrests and Bikes Recovered
Targeted Patrols Hit Bike Theft Hotspots
Worthing’s police launched a major operation against bike thieves on 30 and 31 August. Officers, both in plain clothes and high visibility gear, blitzed known theft hotspots across the town. This was on top of ongoing patrols carried out by the Worthing Neighbourhood Policing Team all year round.
Alarmingly High Theft Figures
Between 15 June and 23 August, 91 bike thefts or attempts were reported in key areas including Splash Point, Montague Street, Marine Parade, and Worthing railway station. The stolen bikes are valued at a whopping £28,000.
PC Rob Luff warned, “Thieves are brazen. They use bolt croppers – and even angle grinders – to smash locks and nick bikes within seconds.”
Police Urge Cyclists to Register Bikes
Officers stressed the importance of registering bikes to boost recovery chances. PC Luff said, “Cyclists should register their bikes online, so if it’s stolen and found, we can return it swiftly.” Visit BikeRegister.com to register.
Most thefts (63 out of 91) have no suspect info, making probing tough. Despite this, police have returned at least eight bikes and recovered many more so far.
Drugs Bust Tied to Bike Patrol
During the patrol near Homefield Park, officers caught a 16-year-old Worthing lad making a suspicious handoff. He fled on foot but was caught and searched. He had around 75 wraps of heroin, 63 wraps of crack cocaine, £90 cash, and two phones.
The teen was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, money laundering, and carrying an offensive weapon. He’s now on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
What to Do if Your Bike’s Stolen
If you suspect your bike has been nicked, contact police on 101 or pop down to Worthing Police Station. Bring proof of purchase or your bike’s unique ID number so officers can check their database.
For top tips on protecting your bike from theft, visit the Worthing Police website.
