A teenager was left “angry and upset” after his bike was stolen twice in six months from the same rack outside McDonald’s.

Joel Barber Hall, 18, cycles to work at the Watford town centre restaurant but after locking up his £300 Carrera he returned to find it had been nicked.

Then earlier this month it happened again in the same spot – this time it was his mum’s bike which he had borrowed.

Watford Observer: Joel Barber Hall had his bike stolen twice from the rack outside Watford's McDonald's. Picture: Jakki Barber Hall.Joel Barber Hall had his bike stolen twice from the rack outside Watford's McDonald's. Picture: Jakki Barber Hall.

After no joy reporting it to police, Joel’s mum Jakki contacted Watford’s mayor, who she said revealed High Street’s camera doesn’t cover the rack.

During the second theft Atria Watford’s camera was also looking the other way.

“How many times can Joel go on leaving his bike there,” Jakki said. “Police can’t help. The cameras can’t focus on the cycle racks and it’s a busy part of town.”

She continued: “It’s frustrating it can happen so easily and people get away with it.

“It’s very disappointing that it can happen so easily and so frequently.”

Watford Observer: The bikes were stolen from the rack outside McDonald's in Watford town centre. Picture: Google Street View.The bikes were stolen from the rack outside McDonald's in Watford town centre. Picture: Google Street View.

Jakki, who works as a social media marketing manager, urged cyclists to be wary of leaving their bike in that spot.

Watford's mayor Peter Taylor said: “This is obviously very upsetting for Joel.

"Overall, our town centre is well-covered by CCTV, which definitely does help deter these sort of incidents.

"I have asked for this site to be reviewed and action taken to extend coverage.”

A Herts Police spokesperson said: “Police were contacted following the theft of a bicycle in Watford sometime between 7pm and 11pm on Tuesday, April 5.

“The bicycle had been left locked to a bike rack outside McDonald’s in the High Street.

“All lines of enquiry have been exhausted at this time. However, should any further information come to light, it will be acted upon accordingly.”

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