OFFICERS investigating the theft of a bike from St Albans have released this picture in a bid to trace it.

A thief took the bike while the owner sat with a friend in rose gardens in Bricket Road on Monday at around 5.30pm. The culprit was accompanied by two other men, who quickly fled the scene.

The bike is a ‘Giant’ and it is mainly silver and black with gold pedals and black hydraulic disc brakes to the front and rear wheels.

The thief who rode off on the bike was wearing a brown hat, white/grey hooded top and dark trousers bottoms.

One of the two accomplices was around 6ft tall, of medium build, wearing a brown hat, a white/grey hooded top and dark bottoms.

The other man was white, in his late teen/early twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall with light brown hair. He was also wearing a white ‘Adidas’ hooded top, jeans and white trainers.

Investigating officer PC Shaun Woods said: “The stolen bike is quite distinctive and I would be interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen one being ridden around.

“I’d also be interested in speaking to anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the incident take place to come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Wood on 0845 33 00 222 citing crime reference number F1/09/4897.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.