Police are looking for a man linked to more than a dozen bikes thefts from a town centre in the space of months.

Sussex Police say that multiple bikes have been stolen from Burgess Hill in the last three months in a spate of thefts in the town.

The force also said that dozens of thefts had been recorded in the surrounding area.

A spokesman for the force said they had identified a man who they are looking to trace.

Sussex Police superintendent Imran Asghar said: “We understand the distress and inconvenience caused to victims of bike theft, and the impact on the wider community. We are in direct contact with victims who have been affected.

“We take all reports seriously and will investigate any reasonable lines of enquiry.

“Our officers will be increasing patrols in areas linked to the incidents and we are working with colleagues around the force to bring offenders to justice.

“As soon as we noticed a trend of thefts an investigation was swiftly launched with our Neighbourhood Policing Team.”

Since June a total of 26 bike thefts have been recorded in Mid Sussex, with 16 of these taking place in Burgess Hill.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Jarrow.