POLICE have thanked a member of the public whose phone call led to the arrest of a man in Yate.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary was called at 11.45am on Saturday (June 14) after a witness reported seeing a man tampering with the lock of a bicycle parked at Yate Shopping Centre.

Officers attended and a man matching the description was seen running from the area. He was pursued on foot and arrested in nearby Station Road just before midday.

A 32-year-old man was later released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Neighbourhood PC Finbar Simmons, one of the officers involved in the incident, said: “We’re really grateful to the caller who did exactly the right thing in calling 999 to report what they thought was a crime in progress. Our enquiries into the incident continue.”

He added: “Bikes are a common target for thieves, and we’d always recommend using a good quality lock to secure yours every time you leave it.

“If you have an expensive bike it’s also a good idea to take photos, make a note of the serial number and register it at www.immobilise.com. This deters thieves because it means we can identify the rightful owner and prove a theft.”

For more information on preventing bike theft visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk