AUDACIOUS thieves broke into a police station shed and made off with two bikes - only to return a short while later to steal a further two bicycles.

The raid at the station in High Street Brandon happened between 3.40am and 3.50am yesterday.

Police have CCTV image of the two men as they broke into a secure shed at the station by damaging the door.

Police, who have described the raid as “audacious”, say the thieves initially removed two bikes and cycled off - one along Lode Street and the other into Astor Court.

They then returned to the station to remove the second two bikes. They were seen walking off along Lode Street.

All four mountain bikes - understood to have a collective value of more than �2,100 - are used by the award-winning Brandon Cycle Team.

Three of the bikes were blue and white Kona Blast Deluxe mountain bikes donated by the publicly-funded West Suffolk Community Safety Partnership. the fourth bike was a yellow and black mountain bike.

Both men are described as being of slim build. One wore dark clothing and the other wore a light-coloured jacket, dark trousers and white trainers.

Sgt Chris Chisnall, of the Brandon Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Three of these bikes were generously donated by partners, and have enabled local officers, many of them volunteers with the Special Constabulary, to carry out valuable work in the Brandon area.

“The team has received very positive feedback from members of the public, and the cycles put officers into what would normally be inaccessible areas such as the forest.

“Officers will continue their work on foot or using alternative modes of transport, and I would urge anyone who may have information about where the bikes are to come forward.”

A police spokeswoman said incidents of people stealing from the police were “very rare”.

Anybody with information should call Sgt Chisnall on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.