Cycle thief hits rail stations (From York Press)

Cycle thief hits rail stations

9:13am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News

POLICE believe a man posing as a rail employee has been carrying out thefts from Selby station.

Images have been released of the man wanted by British Transport Police in connection with a string of thefts from stations across the north.

The man, who BTP believe is posing as a member of rail staff, has been caught on camera at a number of stations, including Selby, and is believed to have stolen a bike from the station cycle rack.

Chief Inspector Derek O’Mara said: “We believe this man is operating throughout the Teesside, Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear areas and, so far, we have linked him to at least four separate incidents, stealing cycles valued at nearly £2,000.

“We also believe he is dressing as a member of rail staff to avoid raising suspicion while he steals the cycles.

“The man has been caught on camera at Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Hull and Selby. The images are excellent quality and we believe that someone somewhere must know who this man is. I would ask that anyone who has any information, however small, that may assist our investigation to please contact us.”

The CCTV pictures show the man wearing a distinctive orange high- visibility vest or yellow jacket, the same as is worn by rail staff, but despite his images being circulated to the rail industry, and previously in the media, his identity still remains unknown.

He was seen getting off the Hull to Selby train at Selby on Wednesday, September 12, before stealing a bike from the cycle rack, and riding off towards Ousegate. Anyone with information is asked to phone British Transport Police on 0800 405040, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.