POLICE in Pontypool have foiled a massive motorbike-ringing operation worth thousands of pounds.

More than 30 motorbikes have been stolen throughout Torfaen in the past three months, with thieves targeting households and businesses.

Gwent police officers launched Operation Hurricane and raided a number of premises in the town.

South Wales Police also raided an address in Rhondda where bikes stolen from Torfaen were being stored.

Six motorbikes were recovered and two Pontypool men were arrested and released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

Inspector Terry Wakeley, of Pontypool CID, said: "Over the last couple of months we have had a large number of motorbikes stolen all across Torfaen, in Pontypool, Blaenavon and Cwmbran, and in Goytre and Usk.

"They mainly targeted off-road motorbikes, in private households, as well as motorbike dealers. All the motorbikes were stolen from the owners' premises during the night.

"On a number of occasions a car was seen to follow the motorcyclist as they drove home, and that night the bike was stolen."

Police believe the thieves would have changed the registration details of the bikes and sold them on for thousands of pounds.

Dave Burnett, owner of Garn Motorcycles, in Pontypool, said: "I had nine motorcycles stolen from here about three weeks ago.

"The thieves broke in overnight and they used an oxyacetylene torch to cut through the doors.

"There were five motorbikes and four quad bikes, all off-road.

"They were all new, and counting the damage to the door, we've lost in excess of £9,500."

Inspector Wakeley said Operation Hurricane would continue.

" Inquiries will continue, and we are trying hard to recover everything that was stolen.

"We have recovered six motorbikes and we anticipate that we will recover a lot more. We are also confident that there will be more arrests.

"In the meantime we are asking motorcyclists to be aware of traffic around them and make sure they are not followed."