Cyclists are urged to be vigilant after a spate of bike thefts in Weymouth and Portland.

Figures show in one week alone 12 bikes have been reported stolen - two in Portland and ten in Weymouth.

In recent weeks, multiple posts have been shared to local community Facebook groups with residents claiming thefts are ‘rife’ in the borough and the actual number of bikes taken is much higher.

On Friday, August 24 a grey and blue 13 Incline Alpha bike was stolen outside Debenhams in Commercial Road some time between 2.45pm and 10.30pm.

Stuart Wootten’s bike was stolen on Saturday, August 25 from outside of Asda in Newstead Road in Weymouth.

“I parked it up at the front of Asda on the bike racks using a combination lock. I was in the store for maybe 10 minutes “ Mr Wootten said.

Mr Wootten said he bought the bike nine months ago for £250, but the Cannondale Quick CX2 was in ‘very good condition’ and valued at much higher.

“I use it five days a week to get to work. It’s my one and only mode of transport which makes it a little more painful,” he said.

Scott Hammond’s bike was stolen on Monday, August 27 when his 16-year-old son borrowed the bike to cycle to his part-time job in Portland.

Mr Hammond said the bike disappeared sometime between 6pm and 7.30pm when it was chained up by the Jubilee Clock on The Esplanade.

He added the Fuji Nevada bike, with a grey frame had been chained up with another bike on seafront railings. Both the locks were broken but only Mr Hammond’s was stolen.

Mr Hammond has paid for a replacement but said he is still paying for the stolen bike through my work bike scheme.

On Tuesday, August 28 police received a report that a white Carrera Valour mountain bike had been stolen from New Bond Street overnight.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said enquiries were ongoing but no arrests had been made at this stage. We would always encourage cyclists to lock their bikes securely if they are leaving them for any period of time, even just a few minutes, and consider taking additional measures such as security marking your bike.

“Local officers will be putting out crime prevention messages on social media and putting up posters as well as holding bike marking events in the coming weeks,” the spokesman said.

For crime prevention advice visit dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention