Stolen bikes were simply violently shaken to free them from “sub-standard locks”, the police have said.

This comes after confirmation that a man had been arrested and charged with several bike thefts.

Jamie Loveridge, 28, of Queen’s Drive, Swindon, was charged by police on Sunday, October 27 with three Swindon town centre bike thefts.

The thefts occurred in Temple Street on September 22, Regent Street on October 10 and Canal Walk on October 19.

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The police said that in each case, the theft was possible due to “sub-standard locks”, with bikes being violently shaken to snap the lock “within seconds”

Wiltshire Police are trying to find the rightful owner of the most recently stolen bike, on October 19 in Canal Walk, to update them and seek compensation through the courts.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “We're urging the victim of a bicycle theft to make contact with us after a man was charged for a string of offences.

“We would like to speak with the victim of Loveridge's most recent offence to update them and seek them compensation through the court process.

“We believe this person posted on a public Facebook page after their bicycle was stolen.

“If this was you, please contact us on 101 quoting reference 54240124773.”

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