Clacton annual naked bike ride organiser targeted by bike thief

Robert Brown, 55, reported two of his five beloved bicycles were broken free of their locks and stolen in an overnight raid of the communal area near his home in Skelmersdale Road, Clacton.

Mr Brown, who has organised Clacton’s annual naked bicycle ride for seven years, was left “upset and disgusted” by the theft.

“These bikes are precious to me,” he said.

“They’re my property, which someone has felt they can just walk off the street and steal.

“It is disgusting.”

But when he reported the matter to his friends at the Four Seasons World Naked Bike Rides, which organises rides in Colchester, Chelmsford and Ipswich, he was left stunned at the response.

CCTV shows the thief approach the Clacton property before heading down a side-alley

He said: “I phoned up our chairman and had a word with him, he kicked up such a stink and said ‘Leave it with me’.

“The next thing I know he’s come back and said we’ve got a reward in place.

“I’ve had no idea who put the reward up, at first my chairman came back and said it was about £10,000, then he came back again and said it was up to £100,000.

“We have a lot of supporters these days – far more people support us than hate us.

“I think all of us who do these rides have had something nicked at one stage over the years.”

Naked cyclist Robert Brown using one of the bicycles stolen in the raid

He added: “It is a really incredible reward and I couldn’t believe it when I heard.

“I just hope it helps lead to the return of my bikes.

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but it might tempt someone to come forward.”

Mr Brown was given CCTV footage of the theft by a neighbour, which shows a hooded figure skulking along the alleyway towards a communal area near his home in the early hours of Tuesday, October 12.

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After snatching one bike, cutting through several locks to get to them, the thief returns a short time later for a second.

Mr Brown said the reward will be offered on several conditions. He said: “Firstly, the bikes must be returned to Clacton Police Station or the nearest station.

“Secondly the information has to lead to the arrest, prosecution, conviction and sentence of the person responsible.

“Finally the person claiming the reward must not have had any involvement with the theft of the bikes.”

Both stolen bikes are battery powered and have control panels on the handlebars.

One is a black and white mountain bike, which was purchased for just under £1,000, while the other is a dark grey, step-through folding bike.

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed the force is investigating the theft.

He said: “I can confirm that we are investigating and anyone with information should call 101, citing crime reference number 42/228075/21.”