Police have insisted they are aware of Sheppey’s bike thefts crime spree and officers are doing all they can to recover the stolen property.

It comes as another four cycles were taken in the last 10 days – including a brand new one which belonged to a nine-year-old boy.

A Freedom of Information Act request revealed last month that at least 106 had been pinched from across the Island from February 2013 to January this year.

Since our story on February 19, there have been another 12 reported cases of bikes going missing, most of which were from Sheerness.

Caz White, of Alma Road, Sheerness, discovered on Monday morning that her Head mountain bike and her son Charlie’s new Specialized Hotrock bicycle had been taken after her garage was broken into.

It comes two months after her partner Paul Ross’s cycle was stolen from outside Sheppey Leisure Complex, off Royal Road, where dozens of the others were also taken.

The 48-year-old, who works for East Kent Mencap, said: “It was heartbreaking telling Charlie his new bike had been stolen.

“I didn’t have the heart to tell him at first – he’s had it three weeks and has only been out on it twice.

“The garage was secure – that’s what’s so annoying. They had pulled part of the roof off to get in and then got out the big garage doors.”

The other two recent thefts were of a Claud Butler cycle, worth around £230, and another unknown make, of around £50, which were taken from an alleyway off the High Street on Sunday, March 9.

It is estimated the spate of thefts has cost Islanders more than £63,000 and very few of the bikes have been recovered.

A spokesman said: “Residents should rest assured Kent Police is aware and recognise these thefts are an issue for the Island at the moment. “Burglary and theft of property and possessions is an impactive crime and one that our officers take extremely seriously.

“There are ongoing operations on the Island to target offenders and recover stolen property and we will continue to use resources where possible to bring those responsible to justice.”

Anyone with information about any of the thefts should phone police on 101.