A FIREMAN and keen cyclist training for the Darwen Triathlon has had his bike stolen.

Paul Brown’s £1,500 specialist road bike was taken from inside his pick-up truck overnight on Tuesday. He was due to take part in the triathlon on Sunday week.

Police said the thief took ‘time and care’ to break into the Toyota Hilux Surf as it was parked on Mr Brown’s driveway in Earnsdale Road.

They removed a rubber seal from the truck’s window, got inside and took the wheels off the bike to get it out of the passenger door.

Mr Brown, 44, who lives with his long-term partner and two young children, said he was ‘gobsmacked’ to find the valuable bike gone.

He said: “I only bought it last year because I had just started doing triathlons as an enjoyable way of keeping fit.

“There’s not many about. I ordered it online; you cannot buy them on the high street.

“I was going to go for a ride in the morning so I put it in my car overnight. I hadn’t got around to insuring it, though. I was gobsmacked when I discovered it had been stolen. Maybe someone has seen me riding it, or it is just an opportunistic crime.”

The black bike is fitted with triathlon bars, is made from light-weight carbon fibre and has black and blue wheels. The firefighter is now offering a £200 reward.

He said: “I can’t see how anyone could sell it or ride it. I’ve asked secondhand shops and neighbours to be vigilant because it’s very distinctive.”

DS Rob Anderson, of Darwen CID, said: “This expensive road racing bike could have been recognised for its value and deliberately targeted. They’ve taken time and care to steal it.”