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@pj_(pj)
it's inevitable if you leave a bicycle with gleaming, often vastly expensive hubs, costly headsets, very expensive wheels that don't depreciate and have a high resale value, locked to a railing in an essentially poor area, it will attract attention.
i am not condoning theft. i am however, suggesting there may be a link between the high incidence of targetted bike theft in tower hamlets and the essentially disenfranchised youth that live there, who, when confronted by signs of wealth beyond them at every corner (i.e bike worth *at least *£600, more than can be gained from any opportunist theft), find the temptation to make easy money too great.
it doesn't take a degree in rocket science to notice the increasing prevalence of really shiny expensive looking bicycles, often without brakes and fairly unique anodized bits that stand out from the crowd. if you want to ride expensive keirin frames, etc, then do so, brilliant, but don't leave them anywhere. ever.
the only solution is to not lock your bike anywhere if you don't want to lose it. otherwise, get a beater which you can afford to lose, for those all important trips to the supermarket or the prince george.
can i add, i am gutted for emma, and the mercian owner, and everyone else who has lost a bike. i have had bikes stolen in the past, and it's horrible when you get back and there is a void where the velo used to be.