Sharp rise in London bike theft

[Jake]

There has been a sharp rise in bicycle thefts in Westminster in the past four months, police figures have shown.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8207023.stm

 

[Garz]

Music to the lbs ears that my friend!

 

[HJ]

That is London for you...

 

[knonist]

insurance is a must for decent bikes!

 

[Twanger]

People don't know how to lock up their bikes. The number of bikes I see with a D lock through the frame, but the whole assemblage THEN attached to a tree or a lamp post with just an extension cable is astonishing.

The number of cut extension cables lying around Marylebone is interesting, as well.

 

[Lizban]

Surely a sign that cycling is getting more popular? More demand for 'cheap' bikes = more supply from the W&&&&rs who steal them.

 

[PBancroft]

Surely a sign that cycling is getting more popular? More demand for 'cheap' bikes = more supply from the W&&&&rs who steal them.

And more people who are put off cycling forever after having their new bike nicked, and the Police effectively powerless to trace it/return it/catch the bastards who did it.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

On my pedal to work, there is a D lock on one of those bike rack things attached very firmly to... a saddle.
No other bike parts in sight.

 

[Lizban]

The old bill also need to target the people who buy the bikes, need to focus on the supply and demand for stolen goods.

 

[Jake]

where do they start though? things in this country have got so bad. look at the other post about the guy being attacked and nearly killed. It's a loosing battle and some things just are not as important now as they should be.

 

[silverbow]

I used to live in Westminster not far from St James. The building had an underground car park fitted with a 'roller' security door on it for access. Over the 8 years I was there 4 bikes where stolen, none with a purchase value of over £250.00. None of the bikes could be seen from the outside and were all D-Locked to steel pipes set into concrete. When theives will take the risk of entering a 'secure' building to steal I just don't see what can be done.

 

[Dan B]

Actually I'd suggest that stealing from a "secure" car park where you have the privacy to get on with it is going to be easier than from a streetside sheffield stand where any bystander might challenge you

It's usually not hard to gain entrance to these places, you just follow someone else in

 

[Garz]

CCtv and a decent insurance outfit are the only other extra's you can do silver. Im sure then its down to the area or attraction to the target thieves. If they want it that bad they will get it, however for a sub £250 bike it doesnt seem to be worth the risk.

 

[Dan B]

The old bill also need to target the people who buy the bikes, need to focus on the supply and demand for stolen goods.

They could do worse than start by saying, for example: "we know of many cases where stolen bikes were sold by street traders near brick lane market: if you purchase a bike there, we will assume you knew it to be stolen unless the seller gives you proof of ownership". Fix signs with this or similar message to lamp posts in the area and then nobody would be able to wriggle out by saying "I bought it in good faith"

 

[silverbow]

Actually I'd suggest that stealing from a "secure" car park where you have the privacy to get on with it is going to be easier than from a streetside sheffield stand where any bystander might challenge you

It's usually not hard to gain entrance to these places, you just follow someone else in

You seem to be rather well informed... now where is that crime stoppers number?