What to do if your bike is stolen

Thanks, Gaz, I'll work that into the OP. Good news, and it's good to hear that this modus operandi works. Why can the police 'pose as buyers' once they get to the scene, but not before? You seem to be saying as much:

The police don't have the authority to pose as buyers, so in arranging the meeting yourself, you will be bypassing a lot of red tape, and allowing the police to act far faster than they would otherwise be able to.

[snip]

** They go in, pose as buyers** and make the arrest, whilst you stick around to give statements / get your bike back.