Guernsey Police are urging islanders to use a quality lock and store their bikes securely, as bicycle thefts spike over the past few months.

The force has received 35 reports of stolen bikes since October 2024, which have a combined value of £42,390.

Inspector Adam Miller says these are opportunistic thieves taking unlocked bikes.

"Something as simple as purchasing a good quality cycle lock can deter these potential criminals from even thinking about stealing, which for the bike owner, is much cheaper than having to replace the bike entirely should we fail to return it.

"We are committing to investigating these offences, however the prevention of crime is a key part of the police and the community working in tandem to tackle criminality, and in cases like this, is essential to reduce offending."

He says most of the stolen bikes are not being re-sold or shipped off the island but are found abandoned days or weeks later.

Guernsey Police launch Operation Bass

In response to the number of stolen bicycles, police say they are closely monitoring CCTV and sending out unmarked patrols.

Officers are also stopping cyclists to ensure they own the bike they are riding.

Inspector Miller says the public response has been mainly positive.

"People have been pleased to be stopped on their legitimate bicycles, being keen to chat with officers for a few minutes about the problem and show that they legitimately own that bike.

"The people we have spoken with have been reassured that officers are actively out looking to protect their property from those who are clearly more than prepared to steal them, that positive engagement has been fantastic."

Police say two people have been arrested as part of Operation Bass. One is charged with allegedly taking three bikes.

Sergeant Jarrod Turian says they have been acting quickly:

"On one of the arrests as part of this proactive action, officers were able to recover the bike and return it before the owner was even aware it had been stolen.”

Bicycle retailers in Guernsey are offering a 10% discount on cycle locks until the end of February.

These retailers, include Ian Brown’s, Le Mont Saint Garage, Duques Garage, Bicycle Solutions, Wheels & Co, Adventure Cycles and Cycle World.

Co-owner of Adventure Cycles Dan Thwaite says it is important to secure your property.

"Lock your bike up securely to an immovable object, like a cycle hoop. And with the newer generation of e-bike, you can electronically lock the bike as well.

"Don't go for the cheapest lock, they are rated on a scale of locks, it depends on how thick it is really, generally the thicker and heavier the lock, the more secure it is."

How to secure and protect your bike:

Guernsey Police recommend bike owners follow the Secured By Design guidelines.

• Record as many details of your bike as you can, such as the make, model, size, colour, and frame number and take a photo.
• Use security markings on your bike as a visible deterrent to thieves.
• Use SBD-approved locks -  It can take thieves as little as a few seconds to cut through locks that haven’t achieved the Police Preferred Specification.