Police investigating an attempted burglary at a bike shop in Steep have charged a teenager from Portsmouth in connection with a string of similar incidents.

Mickey Kimber will appear before Portsmouth Crown Court next month having been charged with burglary, attempted burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

The 19-year-old of Wadham Road, North End, was arrested early last week by police investigating a string of burglaries and attempted burglaries at bike shops, homes and businesses around Hampshire and West Sussex.

An attempted burglary was reported at Owen’s Cycles on September 8 in addition to burglaries at cycle shops in Midhurst and Waterlooville the week before and after.

Kimber was remanded into custody after appearing before Portsmouth Magistrates Court last Tuesday.

The case has also been linked to a string of thefts, burglaries and attempted burglaries around the Meon Valley and Mid-Hampshire, with a further 19-year-old from Portsmouth being arrested and later bailed.