Man arrested after £3,000 bike stolen in Southport is found in Preston

A man has been arrested after a bike was stolen from a house in Southport and found hours later at an address in Preston.

On Monday 17 August we received a report that a gold and green coloured pedal bike which was valued at around £3,000 had been taken from a shed at an address in Southport between 12.40am and 1am.

Officers tracked the bike using the Apple air tag which was attached to the frame and found it an address in Preston.

Officers from Lancashire Police later arrested a 31-year-old man from Preston at the address on suspicion of burglary. He was taken to a police station in Lancashire and has since been bailed with conditions.

Sefton Area Commander Karl Baldwin said: "This was an excellent result for our officers who worked together with Lancashire Police to swiftly arrest a suspect in Preston and find the stolen bike.”

“Burglaries like these can have a lasting impact on victims whose house has been invaded and often expensive, sentimental items have been taken whilst they are inside their home.

“We encourage anyone who knows where any stolen bikes or vehicles are being stored, to contact police. If you tell us about these crimes, we will continue take action.”

This summer, Merseyside Police is encouraging residents to look at their homes through a ‘thief’s eyes’ and identify issues that could make them a target for burglary.

Using real-life burglary tactics as inspiration, the force’s latest burglary prevention campaign shows how offenders exploit security weaknesses and highlights the simple measures residents can take to reduce their risk of becoming a victim.

Visit the Merseyside Police website and search ‘Think Like A Thief’ for more advice. Think Like a Thief | Merseyside Police