Stolen bikes

Some muppet nicked a bike at the FreeCycle event and was then photographed riding it along the Mall by the official photographer. That is, assuming the person in the picture, riding a stolen bike, is the thief, but that's a pretty strong assumption.

I don't quite understand the detail about 'race numbers still attached' and being in the area 'before the race'. It sounds as if the rider was doing the FreeCycle as well as having already attached his race numbers for the sportive the next day, but I didn't realise that there was a photographer taking pictures of all FreeCycle riders and that they were posted on-line by race number. Whatever, this may be what a bike thief looks like, in case you've never seen one.

**
Police appeal after Ride London cycle theft**

Police Officers from the joint Transport for London and Metropolitan Police Service Safer Transport Command Cycle Task Force are appealing for help in identifying a man following the theft of a bicycle at Ride London FreeCycle event.

The bicycle, which belonged to a 42-year-old man cyclist taking part, was stolen from Green Park near Constitution Hill, SW1 before the race at 1300hrs on Saturday, 3 August.

It was securely locked by its owner and subsequently the lock was cut by thieves.

The participant returned to find his bike had been stolen and he then notified the Met's Cycle Task Force who were stationed at the event.

An official Ride London photographer taking pictures of all riders participating captured the stolen bike, with race numbers still attached, being ridden along The Mall.

The victim found the images posted online by official photographers and subsequently passed them onto the Cycle Task Force.

Police investigating the theft would like to trace the male in the photograph.

The suspect is described as a white man wearing a blue cycle helmet, sunglasses, a blue and white striped t-shirt, beige/grey shorts and blue and white shoes.

The bike stolen was a green Trek Madone 4.9.

PC Charlotte Brierley, of the Cycle Task Force, said: "The victim was about to take part in the FreeCycle event when his bicycle was stolen. The theft took place in the middle of a very busy event and we are urging people who were there who may have seen anything to come forward.

"As a result he could not take part in the event which he was looking forward to participating in."

Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Brierley who is leading the investigation for the Cycle Task Force on 07768 928456 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.