ANGRY bike owners have hit out at a lack of security in the town centre which is enabling thieves to pinch bicycles.

A spate of thefts in recent weeks is forcing people to rethink cycling into Colchester as a number of parking stands are being targeted.

Bikes are being stolen in broad daylight with reports of some later appearing on Gumtree, second hand bike shops and Stanfords Saturday morning auction at Wyncolls Road.

Camilla Sharman’s £600 white Trek hybrid bike was taken near TK Maxx in Culver Square at about 10.30am on Monday.

Whoever stole it went “hurtling” down Eld Lane afterwards, nearly knocking over an elderly man, a mum and toddler.

The bike was just six-weeks-old and secured with a cable lock but Mrs Sharman has no insurance.

The 46-year-old said: “Ironically the day before I was going to buy myself a better bike lock.

“The only thing with the better quality locks is they’re quite heavy so not the easiest to cycle around with.

“I know the council is encouraging people to come to the town and not use cars but if security is going to keep being an issue, it’s no incentive.

“When I do get a new bike, I won’t be bringing it to town.”

Jordan Baldwin,22, had locked his bicycle outside of the Metro bank in High Street at 3pm on Sunday.

By 7pm, the X Rated Mesh Dirt Jump model had gone.

It cost his partner Ellen-Louise Malone, of Colchester, £160.

She said: “I thought I’d buy a nice one for his birthday but apparently you can’t have nice things now.

“He looked all over town in case it’d been dumped but didn’t find it, and although it’s been reported to the police, they didn’t seem bothered.”

ASSURANCES have been made to cyclists that the authorities are working together to tackle bike crime.

Colchester Council, which manage CCTV cameras around town, is working closely with Essex Police.

This follows reports of several bike thefts many of which have been caught on camera.

A report from the council’s monitoring and response team states: “We provided the police with footage of five bike thefts.

“We were able to identify two suspects and the police are now following this up. We now have our cameras on the bike parks in the town centre.”

Tim Young, deputy leader of Colchester Council, says this is an example of efforts to manage crime.

He said: “If there are any potential bike thieves out there they should know they’re being watched, and it’s more than likely they’ll be caught and punished.

“We’re very proud of having invested in extensive and up-to-date CCTV coverage in our town centre as our aim is to make Colchester one of the safest towns in the country.”