MORE than half of all bike theft investigations in a single month in Eastleigh have been unsolved. 

The latest data from data.police.uk revealed there were a total of 18 bike thefts in the borough in May of this year.

Of those thefts, six remain under investigation while 12 have been investigated but no suspect identified.

'We want to get people on bikes'

Chair of Southampton Cycle Campaign, Lyn Brayshaw, said these statistics impact people’s chances of using a bike.

She said: “If I cycle to Eastleigh and leave my bike, I want to be able to come back to it.

“We need to get people more active in light of the climate crisis and for health reasons, but if you have the worry of your bike being stolen, that really doesn’t help.

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“We want to get people on bikes and encourage as many people as we can to be active.

“Some workplaces have safe areas for bikes but it’s a shame people have to do that.”

Daily Echo: Lyn Brayshaw on Brookvale Road, Southampton in April 2022Lyn Brayshaw on Brookvale Road, Southampton in April 2022

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, there were a total of 59 bike thefts in Southampton in April 2022.

Similar to the Eastleigh figures, more than half of the thefts (36) were investigated but no suspects were identified, frustrating many city cyclists.

Keen cyclist William Roberts told the Echo in July: “If somebody stole a Rolls-Royce I think they would do something about it, but what’s the difference?

“It’s hard enough cycling through Southampton, let alone having your bike stolen as well.”

Police investigate 'reasonable lines of enquiry'

In light of this data, Hampshire Constabulary is reassuring people they always seek to investigate reports of thefts.

Sergeant Nick Duncalfe, said: “We are aware of the impact this type of crime can have on victims and the frustration that is felt when we are unable to identify a suspect.

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“However, please be assured that we will always seek to investigate reports of thefts, especially when there are reasonable lines of enquiry, including forensics, witnesses or CCTV evidence.

“We will continue to provide crime prevention advice to residents, and local businesses, in an attempt to target harden properties and outbuildings, with a view to deterring would-be opportunists from committing further offences.

“While we aren’t able to investigate every bike theft, the daily reviewing of offences and identification of crime trends allows us to target locations where we know this sort of crime is a particular issue.”

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