POLICE have made a fresh appeal over a £70,000 top-of-the-range mountain bike heist at a Forest cycle centre three months ago.
Thieves stole 20 mountain bikes belonging to German firm YT Industries when they struck at the Cannop Cycle Centre between 1am and 5am on Sunday, May 14.
The cycles worth between £2,000 and £4,000 each were padlocked in tents as part of the Rolling Circus demo event, and YT said security had been arranged at the Forestry Commission site that night.
Three months on, Gloucestershire Police have appealed for anyone who is offered one of the rare mountain bikes or sees one for sale to contact them.
The bikes were touring cycle and trail centres for people to view and test new models that are not currently on sale in the UK.
The ‘professionally targeted’ raid saw the gang smash a barrier beside the road and wheel the company’s complete demo stock over a bridge down towards a lorry or van along the Family Cycle trail.
Responding to questions about the theft from more than 230 cyclists who commented on Facebook, some of whom said it put the Forest in a bad light, YT posted: “Be sure we had the bikes locked and a security company on site.”
The firm was forced to cancel the rest of the event, disappointing hundreds of cyclists, stating: “With deepest regret (and anger) we have to announce that all our test bikes have been stolen last night at the tour stop in Forest of Dean.
“Watch out for 2017 bikes being sold within the next weeks and months. Sorry guys, we’ll keep you posted.”
Gareth Sheppard, who runs Pedalabikeaway at the Cannop centre, said at the time: “I understand the bikes were locked in tents, but all 20 were stolen. I’d imagine a lorry or large van was involved and there were several thieves. It would appear to be a professionally targeted operation.
“YT go around the world demoing their bikes, which can only be bought direct from the manufacturer, and are top-of-the-range pieces of kit with full suspension.”
Pedalabikeaway has itself been the victim of thefts, with four bikes valued at £20,000 stolen in April 2016, and 22 bikes worth more than £5,000 stolen earlier this year.
Anyone with information about the May 14 raid should call Gloucester Police on 101 and ask for Gloucestershire Constabulary or email 101@
gloucestershire.police.uk and quote incident 91 of 14/5.