The crooks have struck at the Academy!

I've been thanking my lucky stars - it wasn't me.

Some bastid got in at the back of the carpark and knicked someone elses pride and joy.

It was locked to a drainpie and they used bolt cutters to get through the cable - it looks like the proverbial hot knife through butter.

It was a nice mountain bike as well, bit old but good quality.

It belonged to a guy from the top off the office who I don't know, but feel much sympathy for!

My own bike was near the front of the office, in a more public place.

I use a d-lock and a cable lock but I might invest even more now.

I was a bit fed-up at the idea of spending lots more on a lock, and for various reasons I got three - none are brilliant thought.

Most bikes I see locked up in Warrington use cheap cable locks.

They are a deterrent at best, as bolt cutters get through them with one snip, but I've read the most important thing is to lock your bike up somewhere people can see it.

Apparently more than 40,000 bikes are stolen a year.

This is a like a wake-up call - just get a good lock, however expensive and heavy.

They are also pretty intersting to read about if you are geeky like - check out this months Cycling Plus magazine, and also http://www.slate.com/id/2140083