Burglars steal £30k of bikes

A GANG of burglars targeted an exhibition held by an Edinburgh-based cycling company and made off with £30,000 of their bikes.

• The prototype Nukeproof Scalp downhill bike

Staff from Hotlines Europe Ltd, a bike specialist based in South Queensferry, had taken a selection of their latest bike models down south to show off to dealers.

A gang of up to five men smashed their way into a former brewery in London's Brick Lane, where the exhibition was taking place, and stole six bikes.

Among the haul was a prototype of the firm's new Nukeproof Scalp downhill bike, which had been ready for testing in Spain next week.

Bosses at the firm estimate that the theft may have set back plans to sell the 4000 bike by up to three months while a replacement is created.

Edward Ibbetson, the firm's office and brand manager, was part of the delegation sent to London in a bid to drum up business among bike dealers.

He said: "The London Bike Show has been on this week, but we decided we would get more attention by branching out and holding our own event at the Dray Walk Gallery in the Old Truman Brewery.

"At about 3.30am, four or five men smashed and kicked their way into the showroom and stole 30,000 of our bikes. We must have been deliberately targeted as they knew what they were looking for and took the most expensive ones.

"The security guards saw them running down the street with the bikes. They dropped one and decided to dump another because they couldn't carry them all.

"The biggest loss was the Nukeproof prototype because that was one of our own brands. It was due to undergo testing by pro riders next week.

"We were hoping to have that on sale by March next year at the latest, but that will have to be put back. The retail for that bike will be around 4000 but it was almost irreplaceable.

"The most expensive bike stolen was the Lapierre DH Team which retails for 5749."

The other bikes stolen included a Lapierre Spicy 916, a Lapierre Zesty 914, a Lapierre Zesty 714, a Ghost SE 5000, and a Rockshox Recon.

Mr Ibbetson added: "These are high-end bikes which are very distinctive so we are hoping that we might be able to get them back."

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said the burglary in the early hours of Thursday was being investigated.