Police are appealing for help after 16 £400 bicycles were stolen from a French lorry while the driver was asleep.

The lorry was parked in a lay-by on the A128 Brentwood Road near Bulphan on Thursday night.

Some time between 8.30pm on Thursday and 6am on Friday the grey and white Quantum ladies' bikes with the brand name Piccadilly on them were removed from the rear of the vehicle.

The bikes are described as "fairly unusual" by Essex Police. Only 200 were being imported to the country, all to be sold from specialist Cycle King stores.

Any motorist who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact PC Duncan Horner at Corringham on 01375 361212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Monday, March 11, 2002