Police have been accused of failing to act on two cycle thefts -- despite receiving a stack of information about the crimes.

Officers were apparently given a full description of the alleged thief after one of the bikes was returned to its owner. But a week after the thefts were reported, the Police's Cycle Squad has done virtually nothing, it is claimed.

"It is just so frustrating. I can't understand the attitude of the Police,'' said one victim, who asked not to be named.

He pointed out his bike was returned, in damaged condition, after he spotted the thief riding it.

The Hamilton Parish man has now fired off a protest letter to Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall, a copy of which has been acquired by The Royal Gazette .

In it he said: "I am writing to you to explain a series of events in which I feel the action taken by the Bermuda Police Force has been clearly inadequate and which will probably lead to additional cycle thefts on the Island because of the reluctance of your officers to act.'' Another part of the letter stated: "I do not know of one person I have spoken to who was not disgusted to hear of the lack of action taken by the Police Force.

"Clearly, from what one reads in the local press, cycle theft is at epidemic proportions in Bermuda, yet the Police seem to turn a blind eye.

"I have not only faced a large amount of inconvenience following the whole incident, but I have been left financially worse off to the tune of at least $500.'' Police have now launched an investigation into the victims' complaints.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mr. Michael Mylod admitted he had received a protest letter.

"An investigating officer has been appointed to investigate the circumstances. Until I receive this report I am not in a position to comment on its contents.'' Mr. Mylod accepted cycle theft was a problem in Bermuda, but sought to scotch any suggestion it was being ignored.

"We are not turning a blind eye to it, in fact we take it very seriously.'' The cycle thefts occurred on July 20 near the victims' Rocky Lane West homes.

"We notified this theft to Hamilton and St. George's Police Stations immediately and were told that the cycle squad would be informed and contact us,'' the protest letter to Mr. Coxall said.

"We received no further calls from the Police that day. On the evening of July 20, I decided to look around the area to see if the bikes had been left lying in a bush.

"As I was walking along Sleepy Hollow Drive, the road parallel to Rocky Lane, I saw a man driving what I recognised to be my bike.

"The number plate was missing. I chased the man but lost him, however a neighbour pointed to where the bike had come from. I discussed the issue with the man who lived in Sleepy Hollow Drive.

"He said he knew who had mine and my neighbour's bikes and he would get them back, along with my $220 coat which had been stored under the bike's seat.

Within 10 minutes this man was seen riding my bike and returned it to my house. I saw him screwing the front back on.'' The letter outlined damage to the bike. It included a broken seat lock and ignition switch, and a missing right hand mirror.

"The return of the bike was reported to Hamilton Police and the officer again said that the details would be passed to the Cycle Squad. I also gave a description of the thief to the officer.'' The letter went on to complain that follow-up calls failed to spur Police into action. "To date, neither of us have been called by the Cycle Squad so that further investigation can take place.'' Police received 926 reports of stolen cycles by the end of June this year.

They managed to recover some 50 percent of these bikes.