2 males arrested

Bedale area: Two men arrested on suspicion of bicycle thefts and attempted shop burglary

Thanks to a rapid report made by an eagle-eyed resident in the Bedale area, two suspects are currently being held in custody for questioning.

The incident began at around 3.10am today (Monday 29 December 2025) when two men were spotted loading one of the bicycles into the back of a white panel van in Aiskew.

A resident was woken by the suspicious activity at a neighbouring address and was able to make a note of the vehicle details including the reg-number.

This was reported to the Force Control Room via the 999 emergency number at 3.16am.

While Response and Roads Policing Group officers began an area search, a further report came in at 4.02am about an attempted burglary at the Co-op store on Leeming Lane at Leeming Bar.  

At 4.37am, officers spotted the white van travelling from the Market Place in Bedale onto Masham Road where it is brought to a safe stop near the A6055 at 4.52am.

Two bicycles were recovered from the van, and the rightful owners have been informed.

The suspects, a 51-year-old man from Darlington and a 27-year-old man from the Barnard Castle area, remain in custody while enquiries continue into the incidents.

Witnesses or anyone with information or relevant CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage are urged to come forward.

Please make a report by calling North Yorkshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by making an online report.

The incident number to quote is 12250243325