HE THOUGHT he would never see his bike again – but thanks to a high-profile police operation one Press reader has been reunited with his pride and joy.

The 30-year-old from Acomb, who gave his name only as Kevin, was heartbroken when he discovered his motorbike had been stolen from his garden shed in May.

The bike was only eight weeks old and had cost him £1,700.

But thanks to Operation Maelstrom, which targets the recovery of stolen goods and suspected offenders, Kevin, from Acomb, is set to be reunited with his bike.

The distinctive blue-and-red bike was part of a £50,000 haul seized by police over the last couple of months under Operation Maelstrom.

After seeing his bike in the front page report of The Press earlier this month, following a high-profile day of action under Operation Maelstom, Kevin realised that his bike had been found.

He said: “I recognised it immediately. My bike was only eight weeks old when I got it so it is absolutely brilliant I have got it back. I just want to say thanks to the police who rescued it.”

The bike was one of more than 300 items seized under Operation Maelstrom, launched earlier this year.

Other items found included 12 weapons, Class A drugs, cannabis and cultivation equipment, 258 bicycles, 204 mobile phones, nine vehicles, tools and lawnmowers, 11 vehicle accessories (alloys and sat-navs), 26 electrical items, and seven items of sports equipment, including golf clubs and fishing rods.