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Kieran, thank you so much for your incredibly detailed advice even though it is not your role anymore. I will make sure to take the steps you've mentioned.
As a follow-up, if my bike were to turn up on Gumtree/similar websites, how would you advise I handle it through the police? I ask because I have heard many stories where people said the police did/could not act due to insufficient evidence and I wondered what, in your experience, is needed.
user98989
Hi Amol,
So far, looks like you've done everything right so far. Sadly, the cycle task force no longer exists and I've moved on to other things, but am happy to offer advice where I can. I can't however, tread all over someone else's investigation as I wouldn't be able to take it on in my current role.
Bike register is excellent, but only so long as it is checked by someone down the line.
Sadly, as is so often the case these days, the guys investigating these offences are stretched pretty thin so anything you can do to contribute to the investigation would be good. I would assume there is CCTV at the venue and I would suggest that if you are passing, have a look to see if there is a camera and if so, does it cover where you locked you bike. If so, grab a name and phone number for the person who would be able to view/show the CCTV to the police and make them aware of the time and date it was stolen. This will help to preserve the footage if it is on a 28 day loop or similar and also assist the OIC by cutting down some leg work.
Of course, catching the thief is unlikely to recover your bike as they tend to be turned around pretty quick. Keep an eye on all the usual sites like gumtree/ebay/shpock/facebook and remember that it's not uncommon for people to buy a bike from say Brick Lane and then re-sell it within a few days so the person who has your bike may not be the person who has it for sale.
Make sure the officer who is investigating your crime has the reference number for Bike Register because this can be a good way of seeing who has been checking your bike frame number against the register.
Finally, please be aware that some of these guys do carry weapons and will often turn up in groups to sell the bikes on so I have to advise against arranging a meet. Leave that to the police. However, I clearly can't stop you but please be careful.
If you have any questions you need answering, please let me know.