Stolen bikes

This was posted on a local neighbourhood list in my area:

A neighbour from the lower part of Geldeston Road has reported an alarming incident that happened to him today.

A few nights ago a very expensive bicycle was stolen late in the evening from the back of his house, normally considered secure as there is no access to it from the road. On this occasion, it appeared that the thief/thieves got into his garden by climbing over the entrance to Saxony Court - a ten foot wall with a locked gate and an entry phone - and then scaling the garden walls of his neighbours.

This evening, around 5.30 - 6.00, he was outside in the street when he spotted two young teenagers (possibly no older than 14) attempting to climb over the Saxony Court wall. He challenged them, asking them what they were doing, and they both pulled big knives on him and attempted to stab him. His cousin and her two young children were present and were witnesses. He managed to avoid them stabbing him, photographed them with his phone and called the police at which point the boys cycled off shouting that they would be back to break all their windows.

The police came and took statements from our neighbour and family and said that the boys were known to them (the police). Apparently they subsequently arrested one of the two but said that they had found no knife and might, therefore, not have sufficient evidence to charge him.

Thought I should make other residents aware of this alarming development. Today’s incident happened in broad daylight and in the presence of very young children. Although young themselves, these boys are clearly very dangerous, obviously not too concerned about the prospect of being caught, and with no regard for the safety of vulnerable children who happened to be in the vicinity.

I would advise people in the area to be on the alert and to be mindfulful about security.

It's always worth a reminder that most bikes get stolen from sheds and back gardens and the like. Thieves armed with knives is obviously very bad news.