POLICE are linking a series of motorbike, pushbike and scooter thefts in Trowbridge after being called out to nearly 15 separate incidents in the last week.

At about approximately 2.23am last Thursday, three suspects made off with a moped belonging to a 23-year-old man in Charlotte Square. The moped was dumped nearby when the suspects were disturbed by the owner.

Between 10pm last Wednesday and 4.30am on Thursday, a motorbike was stolen from the front of an address in Langford Road. It was later found dumped in a nearby ditch.

Officers were also called to incidents in Islington, Prospect Place, Longfield Road, Melton Road and Timbrell Street over the same period.

As well as mopeds, mobility scooters have also been targeted by thieves when on Friday one was stolen from outside a property in Rutland Crescent. Another was taken just a day later in Eastbourne Gardens. Police have warned owners to make sure they are secure and attended when in public as many have been opportunist thefts.

Pushbikes and scooters have also been stolen including a £290 Madd Gear Pro VX5 scooter which was stolen from racking in the Castle Place car park on Saturday. On the same day, a Welsh pit bike was stolen from a shed in Oatfields, Staverton and two boys aged 15 and 16a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy have since been arrested for this offence and released on bail pending further enquiries.

PC Mark Hough from Trowbridge Police Station said: “Enquiries are ongoing into these thefts which we believe may all be linked.

“We would like to issue a reminder to residents to ensure they are securing their bikes to help reduce their risks of falling victim to this type of crime. People that engage in this type of crime are often opportunists. If you are leaving bikes in outhouses and sheds, please ensure they are sufficiently locked and try and ensure sheds are in good view of your house.

“We’d like to appeal to anyone who was in the areas of the thefts, and may have seen or heard anything suspicious, to get in touch with police via 101. Any information, no matter how small, may be crucial to our investigation.”