Bike stolen - situation

[MacLean]

So in a bit of a pickle here..

My bike got stolen in central London recently, a few days later I found it on Gumtree! Due to distinct tyres and various other things it is definitely my bike.

I couldn't resist but message the guy, to which he replied via text - can you look at the bike today!?

I was now relived that it wasn't gone for ever so contacted police.

Long story short - they then tried to contact the thief to setup a meet but IMO were way to heavy handed and attempted to set a meet location in the first gumtree message they sent.

So it was something like 'hey this is xxx I am interested in the bike, can we meet at xxx at xxx time?'

This seems to have scared the thief as the gumtree add went down soon after and they never got a response. Now I am getting told yada yada 'we might be able to find him' and I think the police are basically going back to eating doughnuts and more or less not doing anything about it..

The thing is I still have a text from the guy - does anyone have any smart ideas of how to play this to get the bike back and not get stabbed lol? I know there is some advice around but the police have said don't contact him, but I'm certain if I leave it to them the bike will definitely go (if not already).

 

[Roadrider48]

Take a couple of friends after arranging a meet and re-claim your bike. Possession is key!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Take a couple of friends after arranging a meet and re-claim your bike. Possession is key!

+1. Play cool and not seem too eager to arrange to see/buy the bike. You should go by car, with others staying in the car to avoid alarming the potential thief before he arrives (probably by the bike), and be fully prepared that the address you are given is either wrong (e.g. only nearby but wrong house number) or a public place (e.g. station or park or yard in an estate where the thief can see you before he turns up). Once you have your hands on your bike your friends can get out of the car and join the examination and the "negotiation"... Take photos of street which happens to have the thief in view. If resisted call the police.

 

[jack smith]

It him the best thing would be to ask your mates (big ones lol) to go with you but stay out of sight, play it cool and ask the guy if you can view it at your home address first, take photo's of the bike and then walk off saying you will think about it, if you are sure it is his genuine address and your bike contact the
Police and give your evidence, otherwise, ask to meet in a very public place, make sure,your mates are there to help and play it cool. Don't go kicking the sh*t out of the guy. If he is alone and is aware you have cought him out and you have backup there then the likely thing is he won't resist, just tell him if he hands it over you won't press charges, then of course do.

 

[vickster]

Ask the police to go with you rather than big friends? Isn't there a stolen bike task force in the Met, contact them directly

 

[jack smith]

in my experience and what ive hard from others police dont seem too fussed about using there time to go get a cycle back, but definatley ask them first but i think they will just tell you not to do it. and end up mucking it up them selves. what we need is sort of a bike getter backer A-team / superhero/ vigilante group. any volunteers lmao?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Do you have a pal with a van/pick-up? Arrange a meeting to test ride the bike and have your pal parked a hundred yards away or round the corner, test the bike by riding it to the van, lob it in the back and leg it.

GC

 

[vickster]

http://content.met.police.uk/News/New-Police-Cycle-Task-Force/1260267462689/1257246745756

You can contact the Cycle Task Force via email: cycletaskforce@met.police.uk

 

[Roadrider48]

http://content.met.police.uk/News/New-Police-Cycle-Task-Force/1260267462689/1257246745756

You can contact the Cycle Task Force via email: cycletaskforce@met.police.uk

When you need your bike back ASAP, this is way too slow. Plus, they probably don't give a toss anyway.
There is no room to be nicey nicey. A thieving little scrote stole your bike, so they deserve everything they get.

 

[vickster]

As a woman, I'd rather go safety first

 

[Roadrider48]

As a woman, I'd rather go safety first

Agreed.

 

[jack smith]

if it was my bike id honestly have no time to go down the police route, the guy will sell it asap id just take it back myself with abit of force, afterall what are they gunna do? help me police i nicked this guys bike now he took it back!!! but obviously make sure you are capeable of this sort of thing first. its better suited to someone popeye than minnie mouse for instance. but the more people by your side the better, chances are the bloke will just be a lone petty thief. but obviously it comes with risks.

the best idea would be to ask if you can get on it to check sizing then just pedal off into the sunset though.

 

[Crankarm]

I wouldn't have bothered with the police as the police are generally thick and useless. Try so see if this guy is willing to meet to show you your bike. Don't choose anywhere near your home. Be flexible and not too pushy, take it or leave it sort of thing. Then as others have said take a few mates, preferably one to discreetly film, hopefully they will be willing failing that some people on here might volunteer their services? See your bike, give it a quick visual check make sure it is YOURS and still intact. Take a copy of sales receipt if you still have to substantiate it is your bike. Tell the guy it's yours and you are taking it back and if he starts protesting getting ar$ey, whistle for more of your mates to come out the shadows or if it turns really ugly dial 999 and mention robbery and weapons which should get you a quick response. Good luck.

Btw you cannot steal your own property!

 

[MacLean]

Well to throw some spanners in the works of this plan, I'm new to London (only been here 2 months).. Therefore I don't have a bunch of big mates willing to back me up on this at the moment - so any dealings will be on my own without backup.

I'm leaning towards attempting a meetup and asking for a test ride and just riding off basically

 

[vickster]

Plenty of cycle chatters in London, but it's a big place! Also lots of scum with knives and a bike thief is unlikely to be a fine upstanding member of society...