BICYCLE thefts at Colchester’s North Station have risen for a third year in a row, according to new figures.

Cycling campaigners say it is up to riders and train operator Greater Anglia to do more to try to curb the number of thefts at the station.

In 2018/19, there were 24 reports of stolen bicycles at Colchester Station.

In 2017/18 there were 22 while in 2016/17 there were 13 incidents.

Will Bramhill, from the Colchester Cycling Campaign, said riders and train operator Greater Anglia both have a role to play in preventing thefts.

He said: “It’s probably reflective of the locks which are being used.

“A lot of people will go to Tesco or Asda and buy the cheapest lock they can find when in reality they should be spending around a tenth of however much their bike cost.

“Gold standard D-locks are a must if you leave a bike at the station.

“It is up to both to do more, but that said, Greater Anglia is exemplary when it comes to cycle parking; other railway companies are not as good.

“If we had good cycling infrastructure on the approaches to North Station, instead of the current rubbish, it would be even more crowded out with bikes and there would be fewer cars on the road.”

According to the statistics obtained by the BBC’s shared date unit, there are 554 secure spaces for bicycles at the station.

Colchester Town Station had six thefts in 2018/19 - a drop on the eight which took place in 2017/18.

Marks Tey Station has seen eight reported thefts in each of the past three years, while at Hythe Station three incidents were reported in 2018/19 compared to four in 2017/18 and six in 2016/2017.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “Unfortunately, bicycles remain a popular target for opportunistic thieves and British Transport Police works closely with train operating companies to improve security at

cycle storage facilities throughout England, Scotland and Wales.”

A spokesman for Greater Anglia said: “We are committed to providing secure, free cycle parking across our network.

“At Colchester there is a range of cycle parking available, including undercover, and it is covered by a comprehensive network of CCTV.

“Customers can look out for free cycle marking events in the area. When thefts do occur, we support the police with their investigations wherever possible.”

“We advise anyone who has had their bike stolen to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040.”