A Deliveroo rider in High Wycombe is scared to return to town following an incident in which his bike, valued at £2,000, was stolen during a work shift.

The incident happened on Castle Street at 6pm, leading to the arrest of a man aged 32 on Wednesday, April 10.

He has now been bailed.

The rider, Jack Winterbourne, had left his bike locked outside the Wok Express in Wycombe while collecting a live Deliveroo order.

In just 15 seconds his bike had been stolen and he frantically reached out to colleagues via the Deliveroo app's distress mode.

Bucks Free Press:

Thanks to the system, his fellow drivers – who were nearby on their mopeds, managed to help Jack get his bike and stop the thief from escaping until the police arrived.

Mr Winterbourne said: "I was heartbroken. I use my bike for everything. It’s my livelihood and my bike is everything to me.

"I thought my friends were playing a prank and the next thing, this guy is legging it, I shouted– 'he just stole my bike', 'someone stop him!" 

The theft has come as a shock to Jack and and he is taking a few days off to recover from the incident.

He also encouraged greater use of additional locks and body-mounted cameras.

Thames Valley Police arrested a 32-year-old man from High Wycombe in connection with the theft and he is on bail.

A spokesman said: "It was reported that a bike had been stolen.

"A 32-year-old man from High Wycombe was arrested in connection and has now been bailed.

"Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the force on 101 or by making a report online quoting investigation reference number 43240164081."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Deliveroo said: "We were very concerned to hear about this incident and take reports about rider safety and welfare extremely seriously.

"Our rider engagement team have been in touch with the rider and we are grateful to the local community and police who assisted him.

"We will of course support the police however we can."

Jack's ordeal has left him scared to work in High Wycombe and hopes to take Deliveroo orders in Beaconsfield instead.

He noted how Frogmoor was particularly bad for its unsolved problems of anti-social behaviour and 'drug users'.

Jack said: "Frogmoor is the big hotspot, its very dangerous and we lock our bikes away from the restaurant. 

"It's because most of the drug users sit and drink from morning to night and I personally dont feel safe or leave my bike there."