A MAN who had his bike stolen and whose flatmate had her car windscreen smashed with a brick said he feels powerless and at the mercy of criminals in his neighbourhood.

Andy Coleman, of Vesta Tilley Court, off St Paul’s Street, Worcester, came home from work to find his £350 bike had been stolen from a secure area within the block of flats.

The bike was chained to an iron staircase in an area which can only be accessed by people with a key fob.

Mr Coleman was dealt a further blow when he realised he wasn’t covered on his home insurance as the bike was taken from a communal area.

The 24-year-old contacted police, but was told that they wouldn’t make a specific search for the bike.

He said: “Police told me they don’t look for bikes. They just gave me a reference number.”

Mr Coleman said his flatmate had her car windscreen smashed with a brick a few weeks ago and was told there wasn’t much police could do as the area is not covered by CCTV.

He said: “I feel at my wits’ end with frustration and helplessness at the fact all these things are happening and we have no power to do anything about it.

“The council and the police have limited powers to help us, or think it is not significant enough to pursue.

“I feel I’m at the mercy of local thieves and criminals leaving me financially worse off and distressed. I feel like I’ve lost faith in this city.”

According to the police.uk website, which gives street by street crime data, there were 40 crimes in the St Paul’s Street area in the past three months. These included vehicle crime, burglary, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Frances Lankester, who represents Cathedral Ward and is city council cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said police are “not keen” on extending the CCTV to residential areas.

Coun Lankester said anyone who is persistently a victim of crime can ask police or the council for a small personal security camera to monitor activity.

He said Vesta Tilley Court is the responsibility of Worcester Community Housing.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the bike theft, which took place on Tuesday, September 13, should call West Mercia Police on 0300 3333000.