Man arrested in connection with cycle thefts (From York Press)

Man arrested in connection with cycle thefts

3:40pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

A MAN from near Selby has been arrested in connection with a spate of cycle thefts at railway stations in the region.

British Transport Police said the 50-year-old man, from Eggborough, had been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A spokesman thanked the media for its support in publicising an appeal for information about a string of cycle thefts at stations earlier this month.

He said members of the public had supplied information which enabled the BTP to trace a man and make the arrest.

The Press reported on October 2 how police believed a man posing as a rail employee had been caught on camera, carrying out thefts at a number of stations including Selby.

The BTP said the man was believed to have stolen a bike from the station cycle rack and was believed to be operating throughout the Teesside, Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear areas, stealing cycles valued at nearly £2,000, while dressing as a member of rail staff to avoid raising suspicion.

CCTV pictures showed the man wearing a distinctive orange high- visibility vest or yellow jacket, the same as is worn by rail staff.

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.

The BTP said it wanted to send a strong message to thieves that it had a dedicated team of officers specifically focused on tackling this type of crime, with plain clothes and high profile operations to catch thieves in the act.

It said thieves should also be aware that most cycle racks were covered by CCTV, and so it was only a matter of time before they were tracked down.