Bike stolen... and I know who did it

[gustav]

Hi there

My bike was stolen today while it was parked on a bike rack in front of a busy Londis store. I live in Oxford so there are bikes everywhere. I made the mistake of using a rather flimsy metal chain and padlock that had come with the bike, rather than buying a proper lock (yes I know it was a dumb move but I thought I could save a few pounds that way).

The shopkeeper actually saw about 5 guys doing something suspicious around the bike rack, leaving and returning several times. The rack itself sits right in front of a cctv so it should have all been caught on tape. He also tells me it's the same group of guys who hangs around in front of the store all the time who have stolen bikes from that rack before.

Everyone I've talked to said it's not worth it to call the police as there is little they can do as they are all minors. What is everyone's opinion?

What can I do in this case? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Bandini]

An awful situation - why the hell didn't the shop keeper do something? I would tell the coppers that someone has told you that he sat by and watched a group of suspicious people steal your bike. And then get someone to set light to the shop keepers shop. A minor of course. Then there is no harm done.

I am being ironic of course! Have a think. If minors really can commit crimes with impunity, then we would live in a...juvinocracy?? If someone commits a crime they can be apprehended - they may not be subjected to quite the same laws but they can be brought to account...or am I wrong? Not saying that I am not - but not investigated it.

Am I being a total naif - or isn't it the case that an eyewitness that could positively identify the culprits, and CCTV footage could incriminate the thieves? And that they could be dealt with - and you could recover your property, or be recompensed? If not, then we really are shagged.

 

[bauldbairn]

An awful situation - why the hell didn't the shop keeper do something? I would tell the coppers that someone has told you that he sat by and watched a group of suspicious people steal your bike.

+1.

The fact that he mentioned they hang around the shop front all the time should also help catch them.

Sorry to hear about your bike though!

 

[Cubist]

Report it. And make sure that when you do you tell them that the incident was caught on CCTV, and that the shopkeeper can identify the group acting near to the bike and rack. That they are minors matters nothing. They stole your bike, the theft was witnessed and recorded. No contest.

 

[dellzeqq]

Report it.

 

[Perry]

yep, report it.

 

[zimzum42]

I doubt the shopkeeper will want to say anything to the coppers, chances are the scrotes will get little or no punishment and then will come back and make his life a misery.

Sadly, this seems to be the way the UK is now, much of the reason I don't particularly want to live there...

 

[vernon]

Everyone I've talked to said it's not worth it to call the police as there is little they can do as they are all minors. What is everyone's opinion?

What can I do in this case? Thanks so much in advance.

A crime is a crime. Report it.

 

[summerdays]

No idea of the age of the kids - but presumably it would add to any information they have on those kids who probably known by the police. Don't know whether they could stop any of them if they were seen riding a bike of your description. So report it and buy a better lock.

 

[Landslide]

Whilst the courts may be limited in their punitive powers towards minors, you should at least be able to get your bike back. Go to the police.

 

[swee'pea99]

Definitely go to the police. And if you get no joy from them, write to ask your MP whether (s)he endorses the idea of 'crime-with-impunity' so long as you're a minor, making it clear that you'll be contacting the Oxford Mail re his/her response. With the upcoming election, I should think you might get some action.

 

[rich p]

Whilst the courts may be limited in their punitive powers towards minors, you should at least be able to get your bike back. Go to the police.

Good sig line Landslide but it may mean they catch the little b*stards who nicked the bike

 

[Davidc]

Report it.

And when you replace the bike buy a strong D lock and PUT A VERY LOUD ALARM ON IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It'll deter those toe-rags even if a pro thief would still take it.

This is the type I'm using at the moment http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Remote-Contro...sure_Cycling_BikeLocks_SR?hash=item20ae1e46b9

And if you want to grin despite your loss look at the description for this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Security-Bicy...K_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL?hash=item4a9c41fed2

The nasty side of me says buy the lock now. Its too late for that bike but ......

 

[gavintc]

I must challenge your post heading. I do not believe that you know who did it. You, at best, have a CCTV image of some scrotes taking your bike. The image will show some kids probably dressed in dark clothes, probably with hoods up. I suggest the chances of conviction from this evidence are limited.

A shopkeeper is like any one of our brave new society. Why take on some kids when you do not have to? If you do, you could get a knife or a kicking for your trouble. Better to look away and to tape over the CCTV image.

 

[Alan Whicker]

Report it, absolutely. Presumably these kids are carrying tools to steal bikes with - and some of those tools might be classed as offensive weapons. Minors or not, they can still get searched and hopefully nicked.