POLICE carried out a raid on a family home as officers tackle rising pedal cycle thefts in Worcester.

The raid happened in Tudor Way, Dines Green, Worcester yesterday.

Three bikes were seized - a Marin, an Eclipse racing bike and a child’s Hill Hopper - as well as various bicycle parts following a thorough search of the property.

A man in his 20s agreed to attend Worcester Police Station for a voluntary interview on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

Officers, led by PC Paul Slaymaker, who is responsible for Claines and Arboretum, found some of the bike parts in the garden shed.

Officers wearing gloves conducted a search of the garden, the shed and a bin for evidence before they confiscated the bikes to carry out more checks.

Sgt Carl Jones said there had been a notable increase in bicycle thefts in Worcester city centre and on the St John’s side of the river, recently.

"From January 1 across the city of Worcester there have been between 70 and 80 undetected bike thefts,” he said.

A man aged in his mid 20s is helping police with their enquiries and was taken to Worcester Police Station where he will be interviewed under caution.

Sgt Jones said: “We may well be doing further warrants across the city centre in response to this issue.”

In particular, thieves seem to be targeting Specialized (make) Hardrock (model) mountain bikes.

Anyone with information about suspected bike thefts can contact police on their non-emergency number 101.