Can You Name This Man?

British Transport Police (BTP) officers have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in connection with a series of cycle thefts at rail stations in Dorset and Hampshire.

The offences took place between 8 February and 25 March this year. Four thefts took place at Christchurch station, two at Bournemouth and one at New Milton. In addition, one of the thefts took place at Southampton Central station.

BTP Inspector Mick Morriss said:

"We've made local enquiries into these incidents and after viewing CCTV we are now linking them to this man, who was seen at the stations each time a cycle was stolen.

"We've followed up numerous leads and circulated the images on police intelligence systems in a bid to identify this man, but to no avail so far.

"We are now asking for the public's help to identify him - if you think you can name this man, or are the man himself, we want to hear from you."

Eight cycles were stolen from stations on the following dates:

8 February
New Milton and Christchurch

3 March
Southampton Central

17 March
Bournemouth (two thefts)

21 March
Christchurch (two thefts)

25 March
Christchurch

Insp Morriss added:

"Unfortunately cycles are a popular target for thieves but there are several steps people can take to ensure their bikes are adequately marked and secured to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of bike theft.

"The best thing to remember is to register your bike and also to ensure a solid lock is used to secure it. If a bike is adequately marked, it makes it much easier to identify and therefore reduces its desirability to thieves."

BTP officers regularly conduct cycle crime awareness surgeries at stations across Dorset and other southern counties to offer crime prevention advice and each fortnight identify the top locations for bike theft, targeting them through covert and overt policing operations to catch would-be offenders in the act.

Insp Morriss added:

"We will continue to work closely with South West Trains to proactively tackle cycle crime and passengers should report any suspicious behaviour to a member of staff or police."

Anyone with any information about the incidents or who recognises anyone pictured in the CCTV images should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference B4/LSA of 9/5/11.