THIEVES attempted to steal bikes from two railway stations in East Hampshire last week.

A girl’s bike which was locked to the railings at Rowlands Castle station was tampered with some time during last Wednesday, September 20.

The culprit fitted a second lock after failing to cut through the first, according to the girl’s father.

“When they realised they couldn’t cut through the chain lock, they attached another, presumably hoping she would remove her own lock and leave the bike in place,” wrote the father on the village’s Grapevine online message board.

A similar incident took place in Petersfield on the same day as students waiting on the platform saw “two young men” trying to cut a bike lock at the town’s station.

British Transport Police is aware of both incidents. Witnesses or anyone who spots similar suspicious behaviour should call the police on 101.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.