A TEENAGE bike thief from Wembley who stole from commuters at Ruislip tube station has been ordered to pay his victims almost £900 back in compensation.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Uxbridge Youth Court last Thursday after pleading guilty to seven counts of theft and one of going equipped for theft at a hearing in March.

Several bikes were reported stolen from Ruislip tube station between July and December last year.

CCTV evidence revealed the same suspect responsible for the thefts, which were occuring about once a month.

The thief would arrive on a westbound Metropolitan line train and cross over to the eastbound platform. He would then wait at the bike racks before stealing a bike and leaving on an eastbound train.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers from the local neighbourhood policing team caught the thief stealing a bike from the racks on Wednesday, December 8, while conducting observations.

He was given a 12-month referral order, told to pay £874 in compensation and ordered to pay £80 in costs.

BTP PC Malcolm Yamamasu, based at Wembley Park, said: “Neighbourhood officers caught the thief red-handed when conducting an observation of the bike racks.

“After a day at work these commuters returned to the station to find their bike had gone.

“Stations are equipped with CCTV systems that are an invaluable aid in helping us to identify offenders.

“I hope that this case sends a strong message that if you intend to steal from around the railway there’s a good chance you’ll end up in court.”