Sighting by off-duty officer in Tunbridge Wells leads to arrest of suspected bike thieves
Main article content
Two suspected bike thieves have been arrested in Tunbridge Wells after one of them was spotted by an off-duty police officer.
The men were detained in connection with a spate of high value bicycle thefts in and around the town centre.
Since 10 February 2025, at least four bikes have been reported stolen during separate incidents, with bike sheds targeted in Sovereign Place, King Charles Square and Grosvenor Park.
On Friday 21 February, an off-duty constable in Church Road saw someone matching a CCTV description of a suspect.
Patrols attended and the man was located nearby with an alleged accomplice.
An e-bike was seized, which was later established to have reportedly been stolen from a premises near Victoria Road.
Angle grinder among items seized
Items including an angle grinder, screwdriver, and Allen key were also recovered.
The suspects, a man aged 18 from Peckham and a 19 year old from Orpington, are believed to have travelled to and from Tunbridge Wells by train.
They are also being linked to a robbery of a bike from a victim at Otford train station.
They were arrested and taken into custody and are currently bailed with conditions, pending the outcome of further enquiries.