Stolen bikes

They've got more chance of tracking me down by the stench of failure than by Strava!😂

It's horrible, and so little you can do about it.

I think the two most important things anyone can do about it are:

1) Don't trust communal bike storage places to be secure. Find out how they're managed and whether entry systems are constantly reviewed. There should be a caring organising intelligence behind them. If that isn't the case, don't move there or keep the bike in your flat. Don't move into a place that doesn't allow you to keep the bike(s) anywhere but in the communal facility, or doesn't allow you to take bikes up in the lift. Limits options, I know. :(

2) As you say, lock bikes in the flat. Ideally to something, but I know how difficult that is--some landlords may permit the installation of an anchor, but I suspect most wouldn't. Therefore, if you have several bikes, lock them together, and they'll be a pig to move. While all locks can be overridden, burglars don't want to spend too much time in flats or make too much noise, and it's a much better deterrent there than on the street.

Other things:

3) Don't keep bikes in hallways or stairwells if at all possible, or at least lock them there. Again, I know that's difficult if you're strapped for space.

4) As before, don't keep bikes in sheds or gardens if at all possible. Well-locked cellars are often OK, as they're unlikely to be targets for burglars after electronics or other valuables usually found in flats, but can obviously be targets for bike thieves.

(5) If at all possible, don't keep your bike(s) in the same spot all the time. Many thefts are the result of people seeing predictable patterns and coming prepared based on their surveillance.

Burglaries are horrible and often leave victims feeling very vulnerable. Many people I've talked to who've had bikes stolen said they moved soon afterwards. For proper bike fans, it may be an appropriate move to find somewhere with better bike security and not an admission of defeat.