'Cruel bike thieves took away my passion project'

Emma Ennis's bike was stolen from her house the same night as other properties were targeted

A mountain biker who spent years building her £7,000 custom bike said she was left shaken after it was stolen during a spate of burglaries.

Emma Ennis's house was broken into the same night as three other homes on her street in Kendal, Cumbria, with five bikes stolen in total from the properties.

"They've taken a big project of mine, it's what we do with our spare time, we ride bikes, it's what we love - they've just removed that element of my life from me and that just feels really cruel," she said.

Cumbria Police said it believed burglars had specifically targeted the bikes and officers were investigating.

Ms Ennis, 41, said the thought of someone being in her house, where her 17-year-old son and her dogs were supposed to feel safe, had affected her.

"It's definitely shaken us up, it feels unfair," she said.

Ms Ennis's bike was one of only two such models in the country and the other bikes that were stolen on her Hallgarth estate the same night were also "high-end".

"People...just see it as a bike, but it's what we do, it's who we are and it's taken me probably six years to build up that bike, even down to my saddle, to make it specific for me," she said.

Ms Ennis called for people to be vigilant, after she believed her and her neighbours were targeted

Ms Ennis said she believed the perpetrators had been watching them, as all affected neighbours had returned from separate riding holidays within a few days of each other.

"It definitely felt like they'd waited until we were all back and then waited for the weather window actually, because the rain was so loud, nothing could be heard," she said.

Chris Dixon, owner at bike shop Giant Kendal in the town, said he upgraded security some years ago after feeling the shop was being targeted by break-ins.

"It seems to come in waves really," he said.

He added most bike thefts he heard about were house burglaries, but some riders also reported thieves seizing an opportunity when bikes were locked in town or outside cafes.

Check security settings

Adam Stitt, from Cockermouth shop 4Play Cycles, warned social media could make it easier for thieves to find out what type of bikes riders had.

He said Cumbria was generally a safe place, but people should be cautious.

"You can never completely rest on your laurels," he said.

Ms Ennis said her social media and fitness app profiles had higher security settings, but she urged people to check theirs to avoid being targeted.

"We live in a lovely area and I think because of that, we can become slightly complacent with what we do," she said.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said anyone with information about the thefts, which happened overnight on 15 September, should contact them.