A MAN whose bike was stolen outside Clydebank's Asda store has warned other cyclists to be extra vigilant after a spate of thefts in the area.

Brian Smith chained his bike to the bike rack outside the busy store on Thursday, June 23, after cycling from his home in Faifley to Luss and back again – a route he regularly completed – and nipped into the shop as usual.

However, when he emerged minutes later his chain had been snapped and the bike, which he had only received four days prior as a Father's Day treat, was gone.

The 35-year-old has been left without his most used form of transport, which he used to travel to work and for cycling trips at the weekend, since the incident occurred as he unable to splash out on another bike – which costs around £300 second hand or up to £800 brand new.

He said: "I used a lock and key chain – I've had it for a couple of years now and have never had any problem - and it was snapped right off.

"It seems a bit strange. I've been cycling for a number of years now and but in the past couple of weeks more and more seem to be getting stolen.

"I haven't been able to cycle because I can't afford to replace it right now that will probably be next year and I had only just gotten it for Father's Day so had only been on it two or three times and it was gone."

And Brian is just one of a list of four victims stemming from Faifley to Knightswood who have reported their bikes stolen in the past few weeks.

Most recently, Clydebank police received a report of a bike, worth around £500, which had been stolen from within a car park at the Golden Jubliee Hospital between 8am and 4pm on August 10.

And yet another bike was stolen from outside a flat in Miller Street last week - and then replaced with an older one on August 11.

The bike was not secure, however, it was within a building with a secure entry system.

Now Brian is warning other cyclists of the dangers of leaving bikes unattended, even in areas which are crowded and seem unlikely for a theft to take place.

He said: "I'm not really confident I'll get mine back.

"I'd say make sure your bike's locked and visible. I was comfortable leaving it at Asda because it was busy but it didn't seem to deter them."

A spokesman at Clydebank Police Station added: "Always make sure that if you're leaving your bike in a public place that they are secure and properly locked up.

"You can also mark your bike with unique information, such as a postcode, with a UVP pen or etched into the frame so that if a bike is found or recovered it can be identified - although don't use personal information, such as an address."