Beware of gaffer tape on Sheffield Stands.

[jefmcg]

I hadn't realised, but the original tweeter actually was the victim; she had her bike stolen. http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crim...g-through-cycle-racks-in-london-a3190216.html

I'd assumed she was making a public service tweet as a councillor.

They didn't bother to cover evidence, so this is probably a new crime.

 

[classic33]

Anyone carry either a 15mm or 17mm spanner with them?
Get to B******** and start removing the bikes that have been left on the bike stands. Only six bolts to undo!

 

[CopperCyclist]

I have often thought that, especially with crimes like bank fraud or computer hacking where the criminals are clever and talented enough to earn a lot of money without breaking the law. I think some of them just get a kick out of messing with other people!

I spoke with a guy one who had committed a lot of computer fraud. He gave a rather frank answer which stuck with me.

"Risk to reward". He said. He was well aware that he could earn a decent wage putting his skills to use legitimately - however it would have required a 9-5 job, mon to Friday. For higher risk, he could make that weeks pay in a single hour. For higher risk still, he could make the years salary in a week.

For him, it was all about logically breaking down all the variables and finding his "sweet spot" where the reward was high enough, with the risk acceptable.

As an extra - I joked that his calculations must have been off, as he had been caught and charged. His reply was to smile and say that we had him bang to rights "for this one". My insinuation was that there were many other offences we didn't know about.

 

[slowmotion]

If you want to cut a bike stand, just turn up, in the daytime, in a hi-viz contractors' jacket, eye protection, and a cordless angle grinder..... with a mate who does nothing but positions elf and safety barriers. Take your time. Nobody, but nobody will question you.
I broke into my own car in broad daylight just using a bent coat hanger through the door seal. It took half an hour. If you look relaxed about it, nobody gets suspicious. All fraudsters rely on the same principle.

 

[Globalti]

I had a glimpse of this misplaced trust once when I met a Nepalese visitor and his family at Thiefrow and took then in several taxis to a London hospital where the gentleman was to receive one of his brother's kidneys. The trauma of the arrival in Britain must have been distressing for the family. When I went back a few days later to see how he was doing I walked into the private ward in my suit and his wife and others took me for a consultant and began pulling down the sheets and undressing him. I suppose they vaguely recognised me but weren't sure where from and the suit said: "Authority". I realised that I could probably get away with all kinds of fraud just by wearing a suit.

 

[Booyaa]

[QUOTE 4174918, member: 45"]I'm not sure how this could work at a site more than once?[/QUOTE]
If the person doesn't notice this then it could go on until it is found. As long as the thief covered the cut back up people may not notice it. Hopefully bringing this to a wider audience will prevent that, it might not stop the first one being taken but hopefully will encourage people to check for this.

 

[chris folder]

HiHow meny people would look at tape around post they just lock bike up to post thinking just a peace of tape stuck to it. When I'm in town I will look at different posts see if can spot any tape on them. What a trick to use to take bikes

 

[Tin Pot]

I spoke with a guy one who had committed a lot of computer fraud. He gave a rather frank answer which stuck with me.

"Risk to reward". He said. He was well aware that he could earn a decent wage putting his skills to use legitimately - however it would have required a 9-5 job, mon to Friday. For higher risk, he could make that weeks pay in a single hour. For higher risk still, he could make the years salary in a week.

For him, it was all about logically breaking down all the variables and finding his "sweet spot" where the reward was high enough, with the risk acceptable.

As an extra - I joked that his calculations must have been off, as he had been caught and charged. His reply was to smile and say that we had him bang to rights "for this one". My insinuation was that there were many other offences we didn't know about.

Every convicted criminal has a story about how they "got away" with other crimes.

 

[glenn forger]

Makes you proud. Such dedication. Dunkirk spirit.

 

[jefmcg]

[QUOTE 4174918, member: 45"]I'm not sure how this could work at a site more than once?[/QUOTE]
Looks like they didn't try more than once. When the victim returned to get her bike, the tape was lifted, so she could see what was done.

I could imagine they might get away with it by working in pairs, one quickly removing the bike, the other staying to reset the trap. However, that would still increase your chances of being caught from nearly zero.

 

[Piemaster]

If you're going to turn up with the full hiviz stuff why cut the thing as it does look suspicious. However installing an extra already doctored one...
You might get away with installing a row of them without being asked.

 

[Roxy641]

This is the first that I have heard of this. Thanks for the warning.

 

[Globalti]

I guess the answer is, if you spot one, to take away the cut out section and throw it away.

 

[steveindenmark]

As an ex police officer that is the sort of place I would love to sit up on for a few hours. Fasten a nice carbon roadbike with a tracker, just in case. Then wait. Its a bit like fishing. You know at some time you will get a bite.