BIKE thefts in Worcester are continuing to soar but the culprits are escaping punishment leaving cyclists with no confidence in the city’s CCTV cameras.

In the past three years there have been more than 800 bicycle thefts in Worcester with only 19 successful convictions through the courts.

Figures released to a Worcester News reader under the Freedom of Information Act reveal there have been 157 cycle thefts in the city during the first seven months of 2009.

We reported in your Worcester News yesterday how 17-year-old Jamie Phelps, of Plough Croft, Warndon Villages, had his £600 bike stolen from Elgar Retail Park, Blackpole. It was locked up and in full view of CCTV cameras.

A police spokesman said officers were looking at the footage. It was the second time Mr Phelps has had a bike stolen in Worcester this year.

The latest statistics were obtained by a reader who was making enquiries into which bike racks in the city were covered by CCTV cameras.

He was told by West Mercia Police that they did not have a record of where cycle racks are located in Worcester. The man, who did not wish to be named, said: “I started cycling into the city a couple of years ago in an attempt to reduce the amount I used my car. But after having my bike stolen I didn’t feel safe leaving it anywhere.

“I just wanted to find out if there were any safe areas to leave a bike but it appears there aren’t any. We are constantly being told to reduce our carbon footprint and leave the car at home but there is nowhere safe to leave a bike. I just don’t think the CCTV is working – 19 convictions in the past three years is proof of that.”

West Mercia Police’s inspector for Worcester City Janet Heritage said: “The best thing people can do to protect themselves from bike theft is to use a high quality bike lock and use security marking to ensure their bike is identifiable – SmartWater is an excellent way to mark a bike. Leaving it in the most secure area possible when out and about such as a well lit, busy area with CCTV will also help to deter an opportunist thief.

“CCTV can help detect crimes and identify offenders and officers check for CCTV evidence when investigating crimes.”

Insp Heritage said the 19 court convictions did not take into account other outcomes including reprimands, cautions and final warnings or whether a conviction involved multiple thefts. Court outcomes have only been recorded since 2007.

Councillor Derek Prodger, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for transport and safe environment, said: “We’ve been working hard for some time to explain the benefits of using bikes as an alternative to the car.

“ This has been successful with more and more people taking advantage of this mode of transport and I’d like to stress that these criminal acts should not deter residents from using their bikes.” Anyone wanting to find out about protecting their bike with SmartWater can visit westmercia.police.uk or call 0300 333 3000.

Cycle thefts toll 2004 255 2005 271 2006 318 2007 380 2008 300 2009* 157 *Jan 1-July 31