Stolen Wheels

I think WE'VE got to do more than just post sympathetic responses and caution notes to other cyclists about locking up around these pubs in east london (birdcage/prince george/anymore for anymore) we should be looking to catch said gang in the act, whether by filming them, confronting them vigilante style, taking registration number of van, asking landlords of pubs to get themselves and staff to note down descriptions of the gang and their vehicle inc registration number, informing the police of what is going on (this is just first thoughts so add actions as well if you can think of better ones). This is organised crime and its not going to stop until someone stops them, and since it looks like we're the only ones who care about bikes getting stolen, or parts being stolen from bikes then its down to us to do something about it.
It might take a while but if we work together hopefully we can get shit done, and then we can park our bikes safely in east london without fear of them being stolen, and people may be able to get their bike before they are broken up and sold on t'bay.

RE the power tools. I've seen a white van pull up in broad daylight on Broadwick St, two matey's get out the back cut the lock on a motorbike on that bit outside Pret a Manger/printing shop, dump in the back of van and drive off. All, literally within the space of 15/20secs. Scary really that there are people out there bold as brass that are doing this

hael that sucks! ..anyone up for a FGSS sting operation at the George? I have an old D-lock we could catch the f*cker red handed, strip him naked, D-lock round the neck to a pole, Duct tape the mouth and write "RAPIST" on his chest ...see how long he lasts then..

we can get it tattooed on his forehead..

Pistanator RE the power tools. I've seen a white van pull up in broad daylight on Broadwick St, two matey's get out the back cut the lock on a motorbike on that bit outside Pret a Manger/printing shop, dump in the back of van and drive off. All, literally within the space of 15/20secs. Scary really that there are people out there bold as brass that are doing this

because that just looks like a repo, people don't care.

people don't actually care anyway, do they?

cornelius blackfoot I think WE'VE got to do more than just post sympathetic responses and caution notes to other cyclists about locking up around these pubs in east london (birdcage/prince george/anymore for anymore) we should be looking to catch said gang in the act, whether by filming them, confronting them vigilante style, taking registration number of van, asking landlords of pubs to get themselves and staff to note down descriptions of the gang and their vehicle inc registration number, informing the police of what is going on (this is just first thoughts so add actions as well if you can think of better ones). This is organised crime and its not going to stop until someone stops them, and since it looks like we're the only ones who care about bikes getting stolen, or parts being stolen from bikes then its down to us to do something about it.
It might take a while but if we work together hopefully we can get shit done, and then we can park our bikes safely in east london without fear of them being stolen, and people may be able to get their bike before they are broken up and sold on t'bay.

i feel the same.

no, people don't care. last week i saw this guy collapse on the tube and everyone just watched. then, when he was sick down himself, people either laughed or were disgusted (and promptly moved their shopping bags out of the way). my girlfriend (and then i) lifted him into a chair and got some help at the next station. he was in a bad way and no-one knew how to deal with it. i think people hope someone else will take the initiative because they're frightened or don't want to get involved. the city is a strange place. shit like this goes unreported all the time.

if we don't care as cyclists whats the point of this forum, right now there's upwards of 1200 people who have signed upto this forum, many of us have more than one bike, think how many bikes we could be saving from getting stolen with just this one situation, and if we do stop the fuckers who are stealing those bikes out in east london if gives people an incentive, inclination to do the same in other areas.
Direct action by us on the forum can stop people losing their bikes. Its as simple as that. Like I said before, if we can't be arsed to do something about why should anyone else.
Anyone who wants to do something about this situation can email me and we'll formulate a plan of somekind. Or in true LFGSS fashion we can start a list.

methinks it would be better to be a little more 'shtum' about catching crims.

its got to start somewhere, with someone...

Well, lets go out (same night, same time as other bikes have been nabbed) put our bikes outside as bait, and keep someone looking on them. When they come, we go out, and kick the shit out of them.

I hate this crap. I've been lucky in london so far and only lost little things (seats etc) but I'd be so gutted if someone swipped my £200+ wheels... GRRRRR!

that's fucking awful especially as it keeps happening. Why aren't the police staking this area out? Why aren't there signs up from the pub landlord saying don't leave your bike here it'll get knicked?

Cunts

Well, theres a start - lets make signs and put them outside the pub. Easy and quick. Not exactly beating the shit of the culprits though.

lucky that's fucking awful especially as it keeps happening. Why aren't the police staking this area out? Why aren't there signs up from the pub landlord saying don't leave your bike here it'll get knicked?

Because it takes two van loads of cops to arrest a single 15yo shop-lifter. They have better things to do.. somewhere..

hippy [quote]lucky that's fucking awful especially as it keeps happening. Why aren't the police staking this area out? Why aren't there signs up from the pub landlord saying don't leave your bike here it'll get knicked?

Because it takes two van loads of cops to arrest a single 15yo shop-lifter. They have better things to do.. somewhere..[/quote]+ the landlord wont want the hastle, he would prob get a brick through his window for his troubles. Like Superprecise posted before its easier for people to put their head down and get on with it.

yeah I suppose so but if they're warning people in person then they kind of doing the same thing - I guess the evidence isn't there though like a sign.

You'd think twice about locking up if you knew that it was a hotspot.

Stickers? Get some made up? "Don't lock your bike here!"

Superprecise [quote]cornelius blackfoot I think WE'VE got to do more than just post sympathetic responses and caution notes to other cyclists about locking up around these pubs in east london (birdcage/prince george/anymore for anymore) we should be looking to catch said gang in the act, whether by filming them, confronting them vigilante style, taking registration number of van, asking landlords of pubs to get themselves and staff to note down descriptions of the gang and their vehicle inc registration number, informing the police of what is going on (this is just first thoughts so add actions as well if you can think of better ones). This is organised crime and its not going to stop until someone stops them, and since it looks like we're the only ones who care about bikes getting stolen, or parts being stolen from bikes then its down to us to do something about it.
It might take a while but if we work together hopefully we can get shit done, and then we can park our bikes safely in east london without fear of them being stolen, and people may be able to get their bike before they are broken up and sold on t'bay.

i feel the same.[/quote]

i was hoping to start organizing things like this and then postign what we did on the stolen bike blog to encurage others, also when i get back im planing a few trips to brick lane to photograph people selling stolen bikes, also to be psoted on the blog.

chris crash [quote]Superprecise [quote]cornelius blackfoot I think WE'VE got to do more than just post sympathetic responses and caution notes to other cyclists about locking up around these pubs in east london (birdcage/prince george/anymore for anymore) we should be looking to catch said gang in the act, whether by filming them, confronting them vigilante style, taking registration number of van, asking landlords of pubs to get themselves and staff to note down descriptions of the gang and their vehicle inc registration number, informing the police of what is going on (this is just first thoughts so add actions as well if you can think of better ones). This is organised crime and its not going to stop until someone stops them, and since it looks like we're the only ones who care about bikes getting stolen, or parts being stolen from bikes then its down to us to do something about it.
It might take a while but if we work together hopefully we can get shit done, and then we can park our bikes safely in east london without fear of them being stolen, and people may be able to get their bike before they are broken up and sold on t'bay.

i feel the same.[/quote]
i was hoping to start organizing things like this and then postign what we did on the stolen bike blog to encurage others, also when i get back im planing a few trips to brick lane to photograph people selling stolen bikes, also to be psoted on the blog.[/quote]

The only issue is I am not sure they would like being photographed. I suspect it could end up in some quite aggressive altercations.

indeed, a bike is replaceable.

well if any one wants to come with...

also i have been pratcieing shooting form the hip with a zoom lense, so as to avoid altercation

Yes if it could done surreptitiously this would be better, but I would rather not get a beating, seriously though you should be careful. Is there not anyone who knows someone with a flat overlooking the area? Or, a shop with a view who wouldn't mind some surveillance? A long zoom lens from inside a far away window would be best, well out of way and sight.

Or...

Slightly more elaborate may be a hidden camera hat? (not like the one in simpsons)

i take pictures of people all the time with out them knowing about it... on a crowded market, another hypser with a camera is not going to dwar t much attention.

Yeah I am probably being over cautious. Good luck!

seriously people Im not into getting into physical confrontations but someone has to start something, even if its a case of documenting all the bikes stolen out front of these establishments and taking this to the police, what about getting hold of the cctv tapes of the front of these pubs after 11, is someone actually viewing this material and if so why are they not forwarding onto police.
Lets start by getting the landlords of these pubs to at least note down the registration of the van when they tell the fuckers to move on.
@ Chris, I'm all for helping out, providing another body, trying to gather evidence so we can try and put a stop to this situation... Well discuss when you're back in the country

blackfoot, when i get back i want to get some people that are up for helping out and brain storming and planing stuff, i got a brain full of ideas.

chris crash blackfoot, when i get back i want to get some people that are up for helping out and brain storming and planing stuff, i got a brain full of ideas.
count me in