SEVEN high-end bicycles worth a total of £13,000 have been stolen in Southampton - recently named as one of the worst places in the country for cycle thefts.

The road and mountain bikes, one of which was almost brand new, were taken from the garage of a house at Midanbury Lane, Bitterne Park.

The victim, who asked not to be named, said the overnight raid took place while the family were asleep upstairs.

It comes just weeks after home and car insurer Admiral revealed that bike thefts between March 2020 and February 2021 were up 66% on the previous 12 months.

According to Admiral, London had the highest number of thefts, followed by Edinburgh, Bristol and Southampton.

The Bitterne Park victim said he was alerted by one of his neighbours, who saw the garage door was open.

He added: "None of the other residents suffered a break-in and I'm convinced we were targeted by someone who knew the bikes were there.

"All seven were taken, including two that were temporarily unrideable, so it looks as if the culprits used a van.

"Most of the bikes were mine although two of them belonged to my brother. One of them was barely a month old.

"I called the police and was asked a series of questions. About half-an-hour later I got an email saying they wouldn't be investigating the theft, which was a bit frustrating."

The victim has been scouring the neighbourhood in the hope of finding someone with CCTV footage of the thieves.

The bikes stolen in the raid, which took place between midnight and 7am on Tuesday, included a Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 1 (2021) and a Giant Defy Advanced 1 (2019).

A police spokesperson said: "At this time there are no viable lines of enquiry for us to follow up.

"However, we are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this incident or anyone who has any information which could help."

Anyone with information can call Hampshire police on 101, quoting crime reference number 44210317322.