Avon and Somerset police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Baltonsborough where three high-value road bikes were stolen from a garage in Church Lane.

The incident took place overnight on Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 April, and the bikes stolen include a jet black Trek road bike with dropped handlebars, a rainbow-coloured ladies Trek racing bike, and a Trek Amonda road bike in grey and silver.

As the value of bicycles has risen in recent years, so too has the frequency of bike thefts, with garages and sheds often targeted by thieves due to the relative ease of gaining access.

Police are urging all residents to:

• Keep the garage door closed and locked at all times, even when you are at home.
• If possible, install a security system that includes motion sensors and an alarm to deter intruders.
• Use a sturdy lock to secure the garage door, and consider reinforcing the door with metal or wood if it is not already strong enough.
• Cover any windows or use frosted glass to prevent anyone from looking inside and seeing what you have stored in your garage.
• Keep any valuable items, such as bicycles, tools or expensive equipment, out of sight and locked away in a secure storage unit.
• Install motion-activated lights around the exterior of the garage to illuminate the area at night, and deter potential intruders.
• Consider planting thorny bushes or installing a fence or hedge around the perimeter of your property to make it more difficult for intruders to gain access.

To help protect your bikes, police recommend securing them with a sturdy lock, and keeping them out of sight from the street.

Police have advised anyone with information to call 101 and provide the reference number 5223087468.