Stolen bikes

Careful about the dubious legality of removing such a bike even if you are 100% the proper owner. Stolen bikes should really be recovered by the police only. I obviously know that quite often, people don't get the police time they request. Glad you got your bike back all the same.

since i had the crime ref number from when i reported it stolen and could describe the bike as matching the one chained to the lamp-post and knew 100% that it was mine i didnt have any problems, i also rang the police when i found it and after it had been liberated, and they gave me the go-ahead down the phone, i think if i hadn't reported my bike as stolen it may be have been a bit harder to seek approval to do this though.