Bicycle owners are being warned to step-up security after a series of thefts in Ilkley and Otley.

The Aireborough & Wharfedale Neighbourhood Policing Team say high-value bikes, in particular, are being targeted – with bikes worth a total of £12,000 stolen in six recent incidents.

The latest cases have involved three high-value bicycles being taken from a shed on Inglewood Drive, overnight on April 10, and another stolen from a cycle rack in front of a house on Manor Street between April 4 and April 8.

The Inglewood Drive break-in saw the intruder taking a garden gate off its hinges, climbing over a 4ft dividing fence, removing the screws from the hinges of a garden shed, and then cutting through a metal rack the bikes were attached to.

A spokesman for the NPT said: “Due the recent number of high-value cycles that have been stolen recently, can we please advise people to reconsider their security.

“It appears people are going to a lot of effort to steal these bikes.”

Extensive enquires are been made in an effort to find out who is responsible. “We urge anyone who believes they might have witnessed anything related to these stolen bikes to contact us on 101 at the earliest opportunity,” said the spokesman.

“We also stress to you to call us if you believe you are witnessing something suspicious in the future.”

Police in Ilkley have warned local cyclists to tighten up on security amid fears thieves have been taking advantage of a mobile phone app that riders use to track down the location of expensive bikes.

Concerns have been raised by members of Ilkley Cycling Club and other cyclists about high-value bikes being stolen in the area recently.

Cyclists fear thieves have been locating the bikes through the use of online social media, including a mobile phone app used by some riders to record their performance and share details with others.

Four bicycles have been stolen from outbuldings in Menston over the past week. Three mountain bikes were taken from a garden shed on Clifford Drive, between 6.30pm on April 17 and 10am the following day, after the intruder had gained entry by smashing the roof. A locked road racking bike, meanwhile, was stolen from a garage on Kingsdale Drive that had been broken into during the same period.

Inspector Sue Sanderson, of Ilkley police, said: “We have been in contact with Ilkley Cycling Club to warn people of these thefts and have been increasing patrols in affected areas.

“We would like to urge all owners of expensive bikes to take some steps to secure their prized possessions, like using a UV pen to mark the bike or make a note of the frame number. Also, if you use a mobile phone application to record and rate your ride, it is advisable to check your security and make sure your address or the location of the bike is kept secure.”

She said three Bradford men had been charged in connection with the thefts.