DAVID Struve is trying to work out why his bikes are so popular with thieves.

The 23-year-old had a mountain bike and a Chopper bike taken from his Liden garden on consec-utive nights, and it threatens to stall his search for work.

"I don't drive so I need a bike to get to interviews, and this situation is just ridiculous," he said.

"For the second theft I was actually in the conservatory so they must have come in while my back was turned."

David's home is part of a row of houses in Sedgebrook. A footpath runs parallel to his back garden but there is a high fence and gate.

On Sunday night David was turning in for the night when he went to lock up his black and grey Reebok mountain bike.

"I went outside and it was gone. at first I thought I must have left it somewhere else," he said.

"I was really angry because that bike was one I bought to replace another that had been stolen."

In May David's yellow BMX bike had been taken from exactly the same spot.

He said: "We didn't report that to the police because the value was negligible and BMXs all look the same.

"But I spent £125 on the replace ment so it annoyed me when that one went too."

Worse was to come for David on Monday night when he glanced out of his window.

"I was on the computer in the conservatory which looks onto where the bike was parked.

"Unfortunately the computer faces the other way so I was oblivious to what happened."

Luckily David's neighbours caught a glance of a blond youth riding away on his Giant Stiletto Chopper.

"They came round and asked if I had loaned my bike out, because it was being ridden by a stranger," he said. "I realised it had happened again, and I just couldn't believe it.

"The BMX was one thing, and even the mountain bike could have been sold easily, but the Chopper is really distinctive.

"I bought it from Swindon Cycles and they said to me that it was one of only a few in the town.

"They said it was one of four, so allowing for other cycling shops there can only be a dozen in Swindon. It won't be easy to sell because I have told the cycling shop it is missing so they are aware."

Nonetheless David is counting the cost of replacing both bikes, which total more than £400.

"I'm looking for work so this is the last thing I need," he said.

"It's not as if left them out on the road. They were both out of view in the back garden.

"Now I will have to divert money away from finding a job because some people are targeting me."

PC Greg Farmery of Swindon police's crime management team asked people to keep their eyes peeled for the distinctive bike.

He said: "There are very few of these bikes around so it should be easy to see.

"We would ask anyone who notices it to get in contact as soon as possible."

Witnesses can contact PC Farmery at Gablecross police station on 0845 4087000.