Bicycle Theft Latest

[flecc]

BBC TV London News today reported last year's London Bicycle thefts:

The reported total was over 26,000, so around 500 a week and up by a third in 5 years

Cycling organisations say their evidence is that only about a quarter of the thefts are reported, so the total is probably around 100,000, near 2000 a week.

The recovery rate of the stolen bicycles is round 4% of the reported theft figure, a figure which has been reducing over the last three years. A witness reported that the Metropolitan Police were of no use in his case. After it's theft, he located his bike being sold online and reported it to the police, but they were not interested and didn't follow up his report or acknowledge it.

I know from other media reports that recoveries are usually as a result of tripping over stores of stolen bikes while investigating other crimes, rather than as a result of investigating cycle crime. Obviously the fencing of these stolen bike quantities is an organised crime affair, as must be the final sales to new "owners".

 

[PJM]

The term 'Organised Crime' would probably not be appended by the Police to cycle theft. I think we could help ourselves with registering our bikes datatags etc. I cut my teeth by catching cycle thieves back in the mid seventies. Even then to find a cycle actually on the property register was a miracle. Nowadays with computer systems it should be so much easier. We are currently being Policed by a generation programmed to be risk averse and arresting people is no longer a priority. It is all about covering their backs so that they don't get in trouble. It all went wrong when it became a Police Service rather than a Police Force. I could write more than a few books on it so don't get me started. Anyway I must pop out for a pint now with Attilla the Hun and DCI Hunt I would imagine the loft in Addington was not searched as it was deemed too risky.

 

[flecc]

By organised, I mean known fences in each area who have prepared outlets for retailing the bikes to final users. The scale of this theft rules out individuals trying to sell them as one-offs around pubs etc.

 

[PJM]

I would imagine that the man in the pub has always been a bit of a myth. In my experience the 'fence' is someone that gets a reputation for being able to get what people want. The majority of the customers are average joe that cannot resist a bargain. A lot of stolen goods are stolen to order by shop lifters. Another route is by calling in on small business an factory sites and selling out the back of a van. I have never really thought much about bikes but I wonder what the scrap metal value of a nice alloy bike is? That could be another mass outlet.

 

[flecc]

I would imagine that the man in the pub has always been a bit of a myth. In my experience the 'fence' is someone that gets a reputation for being able to get what people want. The majority of the customers are average joe that cannot resist a bargain. A lot of stolen goods are stolen to order by shop lifters. Another route is by calling in on small business an factory sites and selling out the back of a van. I have never really thought much about bikes but I wonder what the scrap metal value of a nice alloy bike is? That could be another mass outlet.

I agree about the myth and am familiar with the long standing calling on business premises with van loads of stolen stuff, having regularly thrown these types out of my premises many decades ago. I don't agree with your idea of the fence, since the Met have so often come across large stocks of stolen bikes as clearly part of a business shifting them in quantities. One case was over 200 bikes. Since many thefts are of wheels and other parts from expensive bikes, with the frames left locked, I think good parts are the alternative earner to complete bike sales rather than scrap, given that even one quality wheel can be worth very much more than the scrap value of a whole bike.
.

 

[mogwai]

Does anyone have any experience of using GPS bike trackers? Since I'm about to dive into e-bike ownership I did think it may be worth investing a little more in protecting it than I have previously and have been looking into them. I've not had much luck in finding any subtle versions that you could leave on a bike unnoticed but did spot a GPS/GSM mobile phone based tracker which fits invisibly into the steering tube and texts you its gps location whenever it detects movement or vibrations.

Seems like a good way of reclaiming bikes if stolen and leading police straight to a thief. Assuming you rant enough to get them interested.

The retailer looks a little new and unpolished but hopefully someone else has heard of them or can recommend them before i jump in?

Motorcycle and Bicycle GPS Trackers - Spybike

 

[Scimitar]

A witness reported that the Metropolitan Police were of no use in his case. After it's theft, he located his bike being sold online and reported it to the police, but they were not interested and didn't follow up his report or acknowledge it.

I know from other media reports that recoveries are usually as a result of tripping over stores of stolen bikes while investigating other crimes, rather than as a result of investigating cycle crime. Obviously the fencing of these stolen bike quantities is an organised crime affair, as must be the final sales to new "owners".

Huh. Met in "useless twits" shocker.

 

[oigoi]

A lot of bike theft is just as currency to buy drugs. Addict nicks a bike and takes it to the dealer and swaps it for drugs. If the police were clever about it they could track down a lot of drug dealers by tracking down stolen bikes and the people who've handled them

 

[JimA]

Does anyone have any experience of using GPS bike trackers? The retailer looks a little new and unpolished but hopefully someone else has heard of them or can recommend them before i jump in?

Motorcycle and Bicycle GPS Trackers - Spybike

Hi Mogwai.

I have one of the Spybike products and it works really well, perhaps too well since it's pretty sensitive. I was getting quite a lot of alerts as my bike was knocked at the station, but the retailer is very quick at responding to e-mails and are extremely helpful. You can set the sensitivity over a considerable range and playing with the settings has reduced the alerting. For what I payed for the device, I'm very happy with it.
Jim

 

[RoadieRoger]

M&P Motorcycles of Swansea have some Oxford chain and locks on offer which might help . Their HD is down to £24.99 from £39.99 ( Code 533706 ) and their GP down by half to £14.99 ( Code 556228 . I have no connection with them apart from being on their Email list . I don`t know what you will lock your machine to , but a Motorcyclist recently found his machine gone plus the street sign pole that he had locked it to !

 

[Mussels]

Does anyone have any experience of using GPS bike trackers? Since I'm about to dive into e-bike ownership I did think it may be worth investing a little more in protecting it than I have previously and have been looking into them. I've not had much luck in finding any subtle versions that you could leave on a bike unnoticed but did spot a GPS/GSM mobile phone based tracker which fits invisibly into the steering tube and texts you its gps location whenever it detects movement or vibrations.

Seems like a good way of reclaiming bikes if stolen and leading police straight to a thief. Assuming you rant enough to get them interested.

The retailer looks a little new and unpolished but hopefully someone else has heard of them or can recommend them before i jump in?

Motorcycle and Bicycle GPS Trackers - Spybike

In the past the big problem with these is that the Police don't have the tracking devices required making them a waste of time, now they are looking better value as they can be tracked on iPads. However I know how poor the GPS signal is in London so I doubt it would work unless the bike is in the open.

M&P Motorcycles of Swansea have some Oxford chain and locks on offer which might help . Their HD is down to £24.99 from £39.99 ( Code 533706 ) and their GP down by half to £14.99 ( Code 556228 . I have no connection with them apart from being on their Email list . I don`t know what you will lock your machine to , but a Motorcyclist recently found his machine gone plus the street sign pole that he had locked it to !

Oxford have been a poor security firm in the past selling locks that are widely known to be almost useless, no matter what fancy name they give their locks they aren't worth it.

 

[smudger1956]

As there seems to be some increased promotion and media exposure for cycling, perhaps bike security should be high lighted, would be good to see a local authority or a higher level increase bike security facilities nationwide, a bit more than an ornate length of scaffold pole cemented in the ground, if you get my drift....

 

[neptune]

I think it very unlikely that bikes are sold for scrap. If you try to sell scrap metal to a scrap dealer nowadays, you need solid proof of Identity such as a driving license, or passport. There is an old disabled guy in our town, who rides around on a disabled scooter, collecting empty beer cans to sell for scrap. He has to show his passport.

 

[morphix]

BBC TV London News today reported last year's London Bicycle thefts:

The reported total was over 26,000, so around 500 a week and up by a third in 5 years

Cycling organisations say their evidence is that only about a quarter of the thefts are reported, so the total is probably around 100,000, near 2000 a week.

The recovery rate of the stolen bicycles is round 4% of the reported theft figure, a figure which has been reducing over the last three years. A witness reported that the Metropolitan Police were of no use in his case. After it's theft, he located his bike being sold online and reported it to the police, but they were not interested and didn't follow up his report or acknowledge it.

I know from other media reports that recoveries are usually as a result of tripping over stores of stolen bikes while investigating other crimes, rather than as a result of investigating cycle crime. Obviously the fencing of these stolen bike quantities is an organised crime affair, as must be the final sales to new "owners".

Shocking stats there.. it makes you wonder how many bikes sold on eBay are illegal... who asks to see the serial number off the frame and checks with manufacturers? Maybe eBay and other sites should start making that mandatory..

 

[AlMel]

The reason for reviving this thread is this: two daughters live and work in London. One commutes by bike and the other might. I’ve been thinking of weaning them onto ebikes (which, by the way, is one reason I’m interested in all the bikes chatted about here). Hence this question: whilst aware that bike theft in London is stratospheric, what is the situation concerning e-bikes? In terms of your own experience are they safer than ‘dry’ ones when left without battery and controller?

 

[jackhandy]

No idea concerning theft stats anywhere, but thought this might be of interest:

I've just bought a 230mm Squire Hammerhead u-lock for about £33.00 delivered: Seems a good price for a Sold Secure Gold lock?

Sold by Adventure Northumberland on Amazon (search amazon for squire hammerhead)

Was delivered within 2 days.

No idea how strong it is, but I'll post if some theiving b@$!@&d breaks it.

 

[flecc]

what is the situation concerning e-bikes? In terms of your own experience are they safer than ‘dry’ ones when left without battery and controller?

I've no statistical evidence and doubt there is any, but in my opinion an e-bike that is obviously missing it's battery is unlikely to be attractive to most thieves. The scale of the bicycle theft market in London indicates that most thieves will be reasonably experienced and knowledgeable about what is worth stealing, and also the nature of electric bikes. The risk is therefore most like to be reduced to just that of the occasional amateur thief. Even the more experienced thieves who have previously stolen e-bikes with a battery are most likely to have learned that being without keys and charger makes the sale more difficult, possibly putting them off repeating the experience.

So overall my opinion is that e-bikes are intrinsically likely to be more secure than high end normal bikes which are the most attractive target.

 

[funkylyn]

No idea how strong it is, but I'll post if some theiving b@$!@&d breaks it.

Nothing personal.... .....but lets hope you dont have to post on THIS thread again then......

Lynda

 

[Eaglerider]

I do wonder how it is, that the law looks upon theft and burglary as a minor misdemeanor, barely worthy of admonishment, whilst at the same time, minor speeding offenders are reviled as the anti-christs of society.

Why can we not have a proper system of punishment that clearly discourages re-offending. I'm thinking of a short sharp low cost 4 week visit to 'hell'. Hard labour (like breaking rocks with hammers) coupled with very poor food and a generally very unpleasant regime. I'm sure it would discourage further thefts.

But then, the socialist protagonists would be worried about hurting the thief's feelings and his human rights!!!!! Makes me so mad. These thieving scum need their backsides kicked very hard indeed!

 

[flecc]

Why can we not have a proper system of punishment that clearly discourages re-offending. I'm thinking of a short sharp low cost 4 week visit to 'hell'. Hard labour (like breaking rocks with hammers) coupled with very poor food and a generally very unpleasant regime. I'm sure it would discourage further thefts.

I agree that we should focus more on short and harsh sentences than long ones in relatively cushy conditions, if for no other reason than it costs the taxpayer so much less. The very long sentences so many favour seem madness to me, since they punish us all with the huge costs of keeping people locked up at about £1000 a week each.