London Thefts - Getting Better?
Discussion
I don't use social media anymore, used to be on a few "Stolen Bike UK" type pages.. what is the current situation in London like?
I'm probably stupid but I want to start using my nice bike for work so I can enjoy it more but think I'm just asking for trouble parking it in public parking in London.
I'm probably stupid but I want to start using my nice bike for work so I can enjoy it more but think I'm just asking for trouble parking it in public parking in London.
It is parked in a covered, manned car park but I don't trust anyone.. I always have suspicions that the staff tip off thieves/switch off CCTV to make extra money.
There are a few other high value bikes in there most days with minimal security.. but I only care about what I own.
Was just curious if the figures are improving or not, as the case appears.
There are a few other high value bikes in there most days with minimal security.. but I only care about what I own.
Was just curious if the figures are improving or not, as the case appears.
What happens to stolen bikes these days?, I assume they can't be sold on as such so I see three options, break for parts, export or track day.
Where I live in Asia small bike theft is rampant, then broken for spares, But the big bike market is very small, so spares market is non existent, and big bike theft is unknown. I working away and for past 6 months my bike has stood in a covered but not secure car park at a hotel for 2 week periods, No problem. There are about 40 bikes there mainly locally built Kawasaki K800 and ERn6, but a few Ducattie, Two R1's Two K1600.and several big cruisers.
Same story with car theft,not a real problem, biggest is 4x4 pick ups, they are then driven onto Palm Oil Plantation and never seen again, these plantations are the size of English counties. Police need to look at the market not just at prevention.
Where I live in Asia small bike theft is rampant, then broken for spares, But the big bike market is very small, so spares market is non existent, and big bike theft is unknown. I working away and for past 6 months my bike has stood in a covered but not secure car park at a hotel for 2 week periods, No problem. There are about 40 bikes there mainly locally built Kawasaki K800 and ERn6, but a few Ducattie, Two R1's Two K1600.and several big cruisers.
Same story with car theft,not a real problem, biggest is 4x4 pick ups, they are then driven onto Palm Oil Plantation and never seen again, these plantations are the size of English counties. Police need to look at the market not just at prevention.
Boggie,that's what I keep hearing but I just don't see it, I've lived In Asia and Africa most of my adult life and you just don't see second hand bike or bike parts for sale in the sort of quantities that are being stolen.
I assume that within Europe, Aus, Japan etc things are fairly well controlled, so I assume they are being sold in less well controlled countries, but lots of these countries just don't have the cash to be buying them. I spend my time in S E Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia Thailand, reasonably affluent economies and the sort of place I would imagine would be a target, but there just not enough big bike around for a container or two to be imported and licensed.
I've lived in North and West Africa and there just aren't big bikes there.
The other issue is that in these countries people buy on credit and the bank ensure payment is to a legit agent, on old style HP deals you just don't get personnel loans to go and buy a dodgy bike.
Cars the same I have a few classic care, I'm always buying Lotus, Porsche or BMW bits and I don't get offered dodgy parts, or know any one who does.
It just doesn't make sense, I don't see the 'business case' for stealing them, joy ridding etc I understand.
I assume that within Europe, Aus, Japan etc things are fairly well controlled, so I assume they are being sold in less well controlled countries, but lots of these countries just don't have the cash to be buying them. I spend my time in S E Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia Thailand, reasonably affluent economies and the sort of place I would imagine would be a target, but there just not enough big bike around for a container or two to be imported and licensed.
I've lived in North and West Africa and there just aren't big bikes there.
The other issue is that in these countries people buy on credit and the bank ensure payment is to a legit agent, on old style HP deals you just don't get personnel loans to go and buy a dodgy bike.
Cars the same I have a few classic care, I'm always buying Lotus, Porsche or BMW bits and I don't get offered dodgy parts, or know any one who does.
It just doesn't make sense, I don't see the 'business case' for stealing them, joy ridding etc I understand.
Torquey said:
I don't think its any better I'm afraid 
I'd read some insurance companies had stopped covering bikes in London.
Us London bike owners on here have been discussing a few months ago this https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... I'd read some insurance companies had stopped covering bikes in London.Here's one of the threads.
Pat H said:
London bike thefts will only cease when there are no bikes left to pinch.
At which point, the Mayor will triumphantly declare that the problem has been solved.
How many will stop commuting via. motorbike when ULEZ comes into force next year.At which point, the Mayor will triumphantly declare that the problem has been solved.
London priorities are f
ked... rather than charging people to drive vehicles in the city which they say is about cleaning the air, nothing to do with making money, how about cleaning the out the scummy criminals?But the Mayor and Met are working so hard to resolve it.
Only the other day I returned to my bike to find 4 leaflets stuffed on the dash telling me to put locks on my bike. It already had two, plus alarm, plus steering lock. The bike next door (there when I arrived) had no security and no leaflet. So a well targeted campaign.
That suits me just fine mind as the only solution is to ensure ones bike is better secured than the other bike of similar desirability in the bay. Bit like house security I suppose.
Only the other day I returned to my bike to find 4 leaflets stuffed on the dash telling me to put locks on my bike. It already had two, plus alarm, plus steering lock. The bike next door (there when I arrived) had no security and no leaflet. So a well targeted campaign.
That suits me just fine mind as the only solution is to ensure ones bike is better secured than the other bike of similar desirability in the bay. Bit like house security I suppose.
Berw said:
Boggie,that's what I keep hearing but I just don't see it, I've lived In Asia and Africa most of my adult life and you just don't see second hand bike or bike parts for sale in the sort of quantities that are being stolen.
I assume that within Europe, Aus, Japan etc things are fairly well controlled, so I assume they are being sold in less well controlled countries, but lots of these countries just don't have the cash to be buying them. I spend my time in S E Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia Thailand, reasonably affluent economies and the sort of place I would imagine would be a target, but there just not enough big bike around for a container or two to be imported and licensed.
I've lived in North and West Africa and there just aren't big bikes there.
The other issue is that in these countries people buy on credit and the bank ensure payment is to a legit agent, on old style HP deals you just don't get personnel loans to go and buy a dodgy bike.
Cars the same I have a few classic care, I'm always buying Lotus, Porsche or BMW bits and I don't get offered dodgy parts, or know any one who does.
It just doesn't make sense, I don't see the 'business case' for stealing them, joy ridding etc I understand.
Yeah, I dont see it either, but then we dont live on the wrong side of the law. I dont know anyone who I can go and buy a stolen bike from (nor do I want to know). Im just going on what ive read elsewhere on bike theft. Eastern europe and other Euro markets are big destinations apparently. We think we have a bike theft issue, but other EU countries are even worse. https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/uk-far-worst-motorc...I assume that within Europe, Aus, Japan etc things are fairly well controlled, so I assume they are being sold in less well controlled countries, but lots of these countries just don't have the cash to be buying them. I spend my time in S E Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia Thailand, reasonably affluent economies and the sort of place I would imagine would be a target, but there just not enough big bike around for a container or two to be imported and licensed.
I've lived in North and West Africa and there just aren't big bikes there.
The other issue is that in these countries people buy on credit and the bank ensure payment is to a legit agent, on old style HP deals you just don't get personnel loans to go and buy a dodgy bike.
Cars the same I have a few classic care, I'm always buying Lotus, Porsche or BMW bits and I don't get offered dodgy parts, or know any one who does.
It just doesn't make sense, I don't see the 'business case' for stealing them, joy ridding etc I understand.
You do see hundreds of frames with log books for sale on ebay. 30,000 odd bikes stolen last year in the Uk. All these bikes have to go somewhere and they cant all be broken for parts..... is there such huge demand for used parts in the UK that say 15000 bikes can be broken up ? ...dunno
Regardless bike theft is easy money for thieves and the penalties if caught never seem very harsh. Its hard to secure a 200kg vehicle any more than we do already.
Maybe more secure car parks with ground anchors, CCTV, car park attendants might help in cities ?
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