A COUPLE who cycled into Worcester on their expensive mountain bikes to do a spot of late night Christmas shopping watched in horror as thieves took the machines and rode off on them.

The bikes, worth £1,500, had been left chained to a lamppost. They were stolen by two teenage boys, thought to be about 15 years old who were wearing hoodies.

It is believed the pair were carrying bolt cutters which they used to hack through the high security locks chaining the bikes to the lamppost.

The bikes were taken from outside Shipleys amusement arcade in Angel Place at about 6.50pm on Thursday, December 7.

Laura Cale, aged 23, said she and her partner Darren Llewellyn, 30, both of Tinton Avenue, Astwood Road, deliberately chained their bikes to the lamppost because they would be in view of CCTV cameras. However, within a matter of minutes both the bikes had been ridden away.

"We saw the boys ride off on them," she added.

"I think they were watching us. They must have snipped the lock. They were wearing hoodies and they headed off towards St John's.

"We normally do miles every day to get around. Neither of us drive and we cannot do anything at the moment."

Miss Cale said the bikes were very recognisable and her Scott Voltage YZ1 was customised. She bought it new six months ago.

Valued at £1,100, it is painted black and white at the front, is metallic purple in the centre part of the frame and black at the back.

Her partner's bike, a Marin B17, was bought second-hand two months ago and is white at the front and bright red at the back. It is valued at £400.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about the mountain bikes should contact Worcester police on 08457 444 888