STOLEN cycles have been recovered by police officers patrolling the Sunday car boot sale at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium.

Police have seized nine stolen bikes in the past two months in the Blackbird and Greater Leys area, including a number spotted at the boot sales.

They are renewing warnings to people to lock their cycles and to be wary of parting with cash at the car boot sale if they are not sure where the bikes have come from.

Pcso James Kachellek said: “We patrol the market regularly and do pick up some stolen bikes, in addition to those found in Blackbird Leys.

“The stolen bikes are being sold by people without a stall at the market, which isn’t allowed by the managers.

“It’s the same at any car boot sale. If people see this happening, then they should be wary about parting with their money, as the bikes could well be stolen.

“It’s about using common sense.”

The Oxford Mail has previously reported on the problem of bike theft in the city.

From April 2009 to March last year – the last available data – 2,137 bikes were stolen in Oxford, a rise of 352 thefts compared with the previous 12 months., and an all-time record in a 12-month period Last June we reported that student Chris Graham had become so fed up with theft in the city he used boltcutters to steal his own bicycle, to see if anyone would notice and try to stop him.

Despite it being broad daylight in the middle of Oxford, he did it nine times in one day and nobody stopped him.

The bikes that police have recovered are being stored at St Aldate’s police station in the hope that their owners will come forward to claim them.

PCSO Kachellek said cyclists should take simple steps to help prevent bike thefts and make it easier for police to reunite them with their machines if thieves do strike.

He said: “Register your bikes, record its unique frame number or take a photograph of it.

“All these things will help us reunite any stolen bikes we recover with their owners.

“Most importantly, though, is to take proper precautions with your bike, so they’re not stolen in the first place.”

The Oxford Mail had been unable to contact the market manager before we went to press.

  • PCSO Kachellek urged anyone who thinks their bike may be among those that have been recovered to call him, with proof of ownership, on 08458 505505.