Bike thieves have targeted three separate university campuses across Canterbury.

Police are urging cyclists to be vigilant after the crooks cut through locks and chains to steal bicycles worth hundreds of pounds.

They were swiped from the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church and the University of Arts.

Police Constable Jim Gall said: "These bikes had all been chained and locked and left in bike racks or bike sheds.

"Unfortunately the thieves have cut through the locks and taken the bikes – often in broad daylight."

The latest thefts include:

• A black B’Twin Triban 500SE road bike worth £300 which was stolen from a bike rack at Woolf College, The Pavilion, the University of Kent, between 5pm on Wednesday, October 5 and 12 noon on Wednesday, October 12.
• A blue and black Trek road bike worth £600 which was stolen from a bike shed at Eliot College, the University of Kent, between 9am and 3pm on Wednesday, October 12.
• A bike stolen from a bike shed at Canterbury Christ Church University in North Holmes Road between 4.30pm on Friday, October 7 and 8.40am on Wednesday 12 October which was later recovered nearby.
• A black and red Saracen bike worth £300 which was stolen from a bike shed at the University for the Creative Arts in New Dover Road, Canterbury, between 8am and 4.40pm on Tuesday, October 11.
• A white and green road bike worth £800 which was stolen from a bike shed at Eliot College, the University of Kent, between 1pm and 6.30pm on Thursday, October 13.
• A black and white bike worth £155 which was stolen from a bike shed at Keynes College, the University of Kent, between Thursday, October 6 and Thursday, October 13.
• A black and red Pinnacle cyclo cross bike worth £900 and a blue and white Trek bike worth £400 which were stolen from a bike shed outside Kemsdale Court, the University of Kent, between 3.30pm and 5.20pm on Thursday, October 13.

Mr Gall added: "We believe the offenders would have needed a vehicle to transport the bikes and ask anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously at these times and locations to contact us.

"We also urge anyone with information about the thefts, or who has been offered similar bikes for sale, to phone police."

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01842 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference ZY/36816/16.