WHILE thousands of bikes were stolen from railways stations across the country over the past three financial years, only 27 were targeted by thieves in Warrington.

New data shows 16,725 bikes were stolen from 1,245 railway stations across the country, with the hardest hit being stations in the London commuter belt.

In Warrington, a total of 27 bikes were stolen from the town’s two stations.

At Warrington Bank Quay the number of bikes stolen increased year on year. From 2016 to 2019, 17 bikes were taken from the station which has an annual footfall of 1,390,484 and secure space for 36 bikes. Three were taken in 2016/17, five in 2017/18 and nine in 2018/19.

The number of bikes stolen from Warrington Central fluctuated in the past three years, with a total of 10 being taken – two in 2016/17, increasing to six in 2017/18, dropping to two in 2108/19. The station has an annual footfall of 1,764,022 and secure spaces for 116 bikes.

A British Transport Police spokesperson 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.

“To help prevent crime, we urge cyclists to invest in good quality D-locks and ensure their bikes are securely marked and registered at bikeregister.com.”