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Officers recovered the bikes, worth a combined total of £4,000, following enquiries into the thefts from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI).

Police are yet to establish who the bikes belong to.

Multiple NHS workers had been posting on social media about their bikes being stolen from the hospital in recent days.

The three bicycles which have been recovered by police.

Doctor Niamh Cooper told the Evening News last week that her bike was stolen in broad daylight from outside the main entrance to the Western General Hospital, while she worked a shift in the Covid ward there.

Police said today that a number of bike thefts have been reported to them recently, including three from the ERI where NHS staff have been using bicycles to travel to and from work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bike theft is ‘beyond comprehension’

Officers teamed up with NHS Lothian to help support staff with appropriate crime prevention measures and have carried out bike marking events for staff at the hospital, along with securing funding from NHS Lothian to implement "permanent prevention systems."

George Curley, director of operations in NHS Lothian, said: “NHS Lothian would like to say a big thank you to police in Edinburgh for their hard work and liaising with us in this matter. We hope this helps to prevent further issues like this so our staff can cycle to and from work without concerns.”

Two of the male youths, aged 17 and 19, will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal and a 16-year-old boy will be reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.

Inspector Norman Towler at Howdenhall Police Station, said: “The theft of a bicycle at any time is depriving the owner of their property and potentially their method of exercise and commute.

"During these unprecedented times, the theft of a bike from staff working at the frontline of this crisis within the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary is beyond comprehension.

“Along with partners within NHS Lothian, we have worked together to take a long term prevention approach whilst also supporting them with bike marking events, which is something we will continue to do.

“A thorough investigation has led to three youths being identified, arrested and charged in connection with thefts and they will be reported in due course.”

If you think any of the bicycles (pictures) belong to you, call 101 quoting incident number 678 of 20/05/2020.

Three youths charged over bike thefts from Edinburgh hospital