Cambridgeshire bike specialist had over 90% of stock stolen

Steve Heathcock said he thought the police "could have done more"

The owner of a specialist bike shop has spoken of his battle to keep his business afloat after 90% of his stock was stolen in a "military-like" raid.

Steve Heathcock's C6 Bikes in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire lost about £200,000 of bikes and gear in October.

The thieves, who smashed a hole in a wall and bypassed high-tech security measures, have not been caught.

Cambridgeshire Police said: "There is insufficient evidence to take the case any further."

Mr Heathcock, 44, said he was disappointed with the response from police.

More than 39 mountain and road bikes, costing an average of £4,000, were taken along with clothing and specialist kit.

Thieves made a hole in the wall of the building to break in

Mr Heathcock has now received enough money from his insurers to allow trading to continue but said there had been times during the past four months when he was unsure if the company would be able to continue.

He said: "We've had a really tough few months while the insurers have decided whether or not to pay up.

"It's taken a lot of fighting but we're bouncing back. We've got about half the money so far. Staff have been amazing, customers and suppliers have been amazing.

"Out of all of this, apart from the money, the thing that has kept us going and restored our faith in humanity is how kind people have been. Which is a good job as we almost ran out of time."

He described the scene when he arrived for work on the morning of 23 October.

C6 Bikes the morning after the raid

"They'd [the thieves] got up on the roof, disabled our communications and then proceeded to gain access through a hole they'd cut in the side of the building.

"It was military-like in precision - they got past the alarm and the other counter-measures we had in place, the fogging device, the lasers across the front of the building.

"It bought them time to empty the shop of pretty much everything."

C6 Bikes has now been able to restock following insurance money payout

He said police had not given him any confidence they could solve the case.

"When forensic officers arrived their initial reaction was negative, saying they didn't have much to go on, almost before they'd even started looking.

"The impression they gave me from the start was that they didn't think they'd find those responsible.

"It's disappointing that when your livelihood is put on the line, the police don't seem interested."

In response, Cambridgeshire Police said: "An investigation was launched, including looking at CCTV, forensic opportunities, number plate recognition and seeking witnesses, but there was insufficient evidence to take it further."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cambridgeshire Police using crime reference 35/79395/23.