Thieves steal £10,000 of bikes from shop

Police are hunting the bike thieves. Picture: Julie Bull

The thieves broke in to a large storage container near the Pedal Power store in Main Street, West Calder, around 8.45pm on Sunday night.

They removed 18 Giant brand bikes - all still in their boxes - and put them in the back of a silver transit van with red text on the side.

The owners have put up a cash reward for information leading to the return of the bicycles, which include road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids.

Shop manager Garry Nicol said today: “They ground open the padlock, burst open the doors and within just a few minutes put all the bikes in to the van and drove off.

“We think they’ve taken 18 bikes with a combined retail price of £10,750.

“There is a reward offered for information leading to their recovery, and we would appeal to anyone who is offered a Giant bike to get in touch.”

The Giant models stolen include Defy advanced 3; Revel 3; Escape 1; Escape 2; Roam 2; and Defy 4.

Cycle enthusiasts the length of the UK have shared information on the theft on social media in a bid to recover the bikes.

Mr Nicol added: “The cycle community is very tight-knit with regard to stolen bikes. Our Facebook plea has had shares from the whole of the UK from bike shops and cycle clubs.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in West Lothian were called to Main Street, West Calder, at 9.40pm on Sunday following reports of a business housebreaking.

“The break-in occurred between 8.45pm and 9pm when entry was forced to the property and a quantity of bicycles were stolen.

“Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who knows where the stolen bikes are, is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”