WHEN most people have their bicycle swiped they are pretty pessimistic they will ever see it again.

But one Oxford crime victim has had his lost bike returned, five years after it was taken.

East Oxford PCSO Dan Rusherwas out on patrol last month when he noticed a bike that was propped against a fence in Meadow Lane, Oxford. A check of the frame number revealed the blue Dawes Red Feather mountain bike was reported missing back in October 2008.

He said: “I noticed the bike when I was on patrol – it looked like it has just been dumped there.

“I’ve been so shocked about the five-year gap and weirdly the bike is in really good condition.

“We usually auction bikes off to charities if no one comes forward to collect a found bike within six to eight weeks, so this person has been very lucky.”

Police said that the male owner is grateful to be reunited with his bike but wishes to remain anonymous.

Mr Rusher said that bikes come with unique frame numbers that enabled the police to link them with their owners, and the victim had provided a number with his report in this case.

The PCSO added that he usually sees bikes returned within a two month period and that it is the first time he has come across such a long delay.

Bicycle theft in Oxford has decreased over the past two years.

Figures for the period April to June 2013 show that 540 bikes were stolen compared to 794 in the same period in 2011 and 588 in 2012.

Mr Rusher said: “I’m pleased that we’ve done our job and it just goes to show how important it is to know the details of your bike.”

Andy Holme, who works at Warlands Botley Road Cycles, said the bike model is common in the UK and is usually sold for £340.

Oxford Bike Fest organiser Tom Maxwell, 17, from Jericho, said: “It’s pretty outstanding that a bike has been found so long after it was stolen.

“Bikes are often stripped down with the parts being sold on, so it’s amazing that one has been found in such a good condition.”

Thames Valley Police held an event in Broad Street in June to help people register their bikes on an online database in the hope of reuniting more owners with their stolen bicycles.

Sgt Matt Sulley said that the registration codes on the bike frames are to “act as a strong deterrent to criminals”.

  •  To register your bike, visit bikeregister.com