Police have released CCTV images catching an airport bike thief in the act.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s SO18 Aviation Security unit are tracing a man they want to speak to in connection with a number of bike thefts from a cycle hub at London Heathrow Airport.

The CCTV stills shows the man near the cycle hub on Monday, August 11. The cycle hub requires a key fob to enter but the man manages to slide under a gap and takes an unlocked bike before letting himself out.

A few hours later, he returns and tries to take another bike.

He is unsuccessful on this occasion as the bike is locked.

He then leaves and returns 15 minutes later with a set of bolt croppers, cutting the bike chain and riding off with the stolen bike.

After the thefts, crime prevention officers liaised with the cycle hub authorities to provide advice on how to secure the site for bike owners to prevent any further thefts.

Detective Constable Lee Meechan, from SO18 Aviation Security, said: “This is an isolated incident and the relevant authorities have taken our advice to increase security at the cycle hubs to prevent any further thefts.

“We are very keen to identify who this man is and urge anyone with information to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Lee Meechan on 0203 276 1351 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting photo reference 156278 and 156276.