POLICE have reiterated warnings over bike security after three more thefts in Winchester last weekend - bringing to 30 so far in 2013.

Sgt Matt Fancett said homes in the Greenhill Road area, Fulflood, were burgled on Sunday, the latest in a spate of more than 30 burglaries this year.

Speaking at a Partnership and Communities Together (PACT) meeting on Tuesday (Feb 26), he said: “There’s been an awful lot of burglaries in Winchester in the last two months, particularly garages and sheds. We think there is a group going around between midnight and 2am breaking into sheds and taking whatever they can find.

“They are looking for pedal cycles, particularly high-value ones which can be worth up to thousands of pounds. If you have a shed or garage, make sure you put the best lock on you can.”

Sgt Fancett said it was the first incident in Fulflood as the burglars had previously targeted St Cross, Stanmore and Abbotts Barton.

He added: “We have a number of operations ongoing, some overt and some covert, and we think we know who some of these people are, but we do need to identify them so if you do see anything suspicious or know anything then please contact us.”

The thieves are generally described as young people under 20 and they usually do not have tools with them but use whatever they can find around the property to break in.

He was speaking to residents from Fulflood, Weeke, Littleton and Harestock as part of the police’s efforts to keep in touch with the community and find out what concerns the public have.

Police are also holding a bicycle safety event at Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, on March 9 where police community support officers will give out special stickers that can be attached to bikes with the owner’s postcode on.

The stickers are very difficult to remove and can help the police locate the owner if the bike is stolen.

Anyone with information on the thefts should contact Winchester Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.