CYCLISTS in the City of Whittlesea are being warned to lock up their bicycles. Inspector Bob Dykstra said bicycle thefts were up 21.4 per cent on last year.
“Bicycles are valuable and can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars,” he said.
“But a lock is a cheap way to protect them, and owners can also mark them to make them identifiable and take photographs of them.’’
He said some cyclists were leaving their bicycles without a lock or chain when they left them on a front verandah.
“They think because the bike is on private property it is safe. It is not; they are still being targeted.”
Police are also investigating a possible drive-by shooting in Thomastown.
A resident in Alvarado Avenue found a spent firearm shell at their property on May 26 but police believe the shooting may have occurred days earlier.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police found a further two cartridges in the street and suspected the shots may have been fired when residents heard noises about 6am on May 23.
She said no one was injured and the investigation was continuing.
