<p>It took just 47 seconds for thieves to steal Rosie Wetherhill’s ebike from outside a Chinese takeaway in Leeds. Wetherhill, a 23-year-old bike courier, had made the mistake of only locking the back wheel with a D-lock, thinking that the fast-paced nature of the takeaway would deter thieves. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and her £1,300 ebike disappeared around a corner, leaving Wetherhill with a sinking feeling that she would never see it again.</p>
<p>Wetherhill immediately called the police and informed them that her bike had a tracking device, although it was not currently working. The police told her to contact them again if the tracking device started working. A few days later, an officer called her back and told her that she would need to retrieve any CCTV footage from the Chinese takeaway herself, as the police would not do it for her. Wetherhill found this response insulting and frustrating.</p>
<p>Bike theft is unfortunately a common occurrence in the UK, with the majority of cases going unsolved by the police. Statistics compiled by the Liberal Democrats from July 2021 to June 2022 revealed that almost 90% of bike thefts result in no suspect being identified or charged. In London, the Metropolitan police only charged a suspect in 1% of reported bike thefts in 2021. A report in 2022 criticized the police’s handling of theft and burglary cases, stating that most victims do not receive the justice they deserve. While there have been some changes in the police’s approach, they have not been fast enough to address the problem.</p>
<p>Tom Parker, a marketing worker from Epsom, describes bike theft as a crime with no consequences for the perpetrators. He once witnessed two teenagers stealing a bike outside a Surrey train station and called the police. However, they told him there was nothing they could do and advised him to take the bike home himself. Parker ended up reuniting the stolen bike with its owner after posting about the incident on a local Facebook group.</p>
<p>When the police fail to take action, local communities often take matters into their own hands. Stolen bike groups on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter monitor suspicious sales to try and recover stolen bikes. After her bike was stolen, Wetherhill searched for it online every day, even imagining stealing it back herself. Megan Kedzlie, another victim of bike theft, managed to track down her stolen bike on Gumtree and arranged to meet the seller. With the support of her housemates, Kedzlie confronted the seller, provided proof that the bike was hers, and reclaimed it.</p>
<p>While most bike thieves are not violent, there are instances where organised and violent criminals target high-value bikes. Some victims have been followed home and robbed at knifepoint or assaulted. These incidents have further eroded public trust in the police, as they often fail to make arrests or take decisive action. Bike theft disproportionately affects those on low incomes, as bikes provide affordable transportation and replacing a stolen bike can be a significant financial burden for individuals with limited resources.</p>
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