Vicious cycle of thefts in Wolverhampton stumps Colin

These are the words of one frustrated cyclist from Wolverhampton who has been the victim of numerous thefts in the past 18 months.

Colin Bates, aged 64, has had a bike stolen as well as a saddle, computer sensor and now a tyre from his new £1,000 Claude Butler bike .

Mr Bates, who lives in Finchfield and works with children with special needs, is now so fed-up at the constant thefts in the city centre, he's offering a reward.

He said he is constantly on the look out for replacement parts as a result of the crimes.

"I have cycled all my life, it is my sport, but I have never known the city be like this in terms of safety," he said. "I am offering a £75 reward if I can get my tyre back and £200 if that comes with information that leads to a conviction.

"This isn't something I can really afford but nothing is being done and someone needs to take a stand against these idiots."

The tyre, which is bright red and easily recognisable, was stolen between the hours of 1pm and 4pm on March 17 from a bike stands outside the city centre bus station in Pipers Row.

Colin has also had vandals put an extra lock on his bike in the past, so that even after unlocking the one he had placed on for security, the bike still couldn't be moved.

"All of these things have been taken in the city centre at busy times of the day yet nobody can seem to help me come to any sort of conclusion," he said.

"I asked a city centre warden where the safest place to leave my bike would be and he said 'at home', which sums it up.

"I speak to other cyclists and what has happened to me isn't a rare thing, this is happening all of the time.

"The council are encouraging people to help the environment by cycling to work.

"Most would be put off for life the first time something was stolen from them."

Anyone with information about the stolen tyre can call 07596228059