SIX bikes have been stolen from a town centre car park in the past month.

Wiltshire Police are now appealing for witnesses following the spate of thefts from the Brunel West car park. So far this year, a total of 18 bikes have been stolen.

The offenders are thought to have gained entry to the facility by a combination of tail gating legitimate customers inside or by unlocking the security door using tools.

Once inside, the offenders are then stealing any bikes which are not locked up or breaking bike locks on those which are.

The Swindon Central Neighbor-hood Policing Team continue to investigate the series of thefts and have increased patrols in the area as a result.

PC Paul Bezzant, head of the Swindon Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It’s important to remember to register your bike and ensure a solid lock is used to secure it.

“If a bike is adequately marked, it makes it much easier to identify and therefore helps reduce the risk of becoming a victim of bike theft.

“Central NPT officers regularly conduct cycle crime awareness surgeries alongside Swindon Borough Council Community Safety Team.

“This is to offer crime prevention advice and identify the top locations for bike theft, targeting them through covert and overt policing operations to catch would-be offenders in the act.”

CCTV of men Wiltshire Police would like to speak in connection to these thefts has been released.

Last Friday two men were arrested after being caught by local police officers attempting to cut a bike lock with bolt croppers at the bus station. The men, aged 30 and 36, were arrested on suspicion of theft offences and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The bikes which have been stolen from the cycle park at the Brunel West car park include a Kona Aloha blue adults mountain bike, a black and pink adult mountain bike, a silver Trax adult mountain bike, a blue Claude Butler adult bike, an adult Carerra trail bike in grey and a blue/grey adult Felt Vault BMX with ‘atb.shop.co.uk’ and ‘monster’ vinyls on the frame.

Wiltshire Police advise cyclists to get their bikes tagged and registered at www.bikeregister.com, ensure you have a solid lock, always lock your bike through the frame and not just the wheel, do not leave it insecure for even short periods of time, lock it in a busy, well-lit and CCTV-covered area where possible and take a photograph of your bike and keep it in a safe place to assist in identification, should it be tolen.

Cyclists can also get their bike security marked for free at various locations including Recycles on Princes Street.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously if preferred with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.