A joint operation involving British Transport Police and officers from Met in Richmond borough has captured a pair of serial bike thieves.

Police are claiming success after two people involved in the theft of a number of bikes worth hundreds of pounds from Richmond Station were arrested and charged.

Richmond Station has become a treasure trove for thieves as the current cycle parking is open and easily accessed.

Train company SWR has come under fire for failing to build a long-promised secure superhub for up to 700 bikes next to the station.

Just last week, councillors in Richmond spoke of their frustration at the company to start work on the building which – based on original projections – should have already been built.

Joanna Harris, aged 40, appeared in court last week following the theft of a bike with £300, which occurred on May 11 last year.

Following her arrest a 41-year-old man was also arrested in connection to eight bike thefts from Richmond station between February 2022 and 2023.

British Transport Police (BTP) said: "A 40-year-old woman appeared at court on Monday, March 6, charged in connection to a bike theft from Richmond station in May 2022.

"Joanna Harris, 40, of Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and will be sentenced at a later date.

"She was arrested by BTP Richmond's Proactive Neighbourhood team last week, following an investigation into bike thefts at the station.

"Following her arrest, a 41-year-old man was also arrested in connection to eight bike thefts from Richmond station between February 2022 and 2023. He has been bailed with conditions not to enter the railway while the investigation continues.

Sergeant Julian Mason of BTP Richmond's Proactive Team said "Bike theft affects everyday commuters who have every right to cycle to the station without their bikes being stolen.

"My team are committed to proactively tackling this sort of crime, and we will tenaciously pursue any one chooses to offend on the railway network."

BTP had circulated the description and identity of a man they wanted to talk to in relation to a series of thefts from Richmond station and a Safer Neighbourhood team from the Metropolitan Police in Kew managed to identify and arrest him.

Richmond borough police posted details of their role in the investigation on social media, stating: "Last week, our local Kew Safer Neighbourhood Team received an email from BTP circulating a male wanted for a number of offences relating to theft of bicycles at Richmond Station.

"Officers then went out on patrol and whilst guarding your streets, PCSO Gonsalves spotted a male he believed to be identified cycling at speed away from Kew Retail Park.

"Quickly grabbing his home address from the circulation, the teams made their over Kew Bridge to Brentford where he was detained just outside his address.

"A search uncovered bolt cutters, screwdrivers, pliers and a bicycle which we believed to be stolen. He was arrested on suspicion of going quipped to steal, theft of pedal cycle and 3 times fail to appear.

"Along with our BTP colleagues, we carried out two further searches and found more tools for stealing bikes including angle grinders.

"The local SNT worked through the night until 07:00hrs to secure all the evidence, resulting in a further eight arrests for offences based on the evidence retrieved during the searches."