What to do if your bike is stolen

Great result!

is it best to contact them directly (ie phone) or email? Had my bike stolen today and want to be as proactive as possible! My bike isnt marked and im trying to find all the manuals with details of frame number etc. What do you suggest is best?

It's best to contact them directly. Other parts of the police don't have the knowledge and expertise that the CTF have.

had mine marked recently by local pcso, free and quick. Nice dude too.

didn't think when i bough the bike, but now all the signs seem to add up, i was trying to find a new bike as id just had my beautiful old raleigh stolen from rainham, locked up out side my girlfriends house no less. so as i tried to find a new bike as its the only way i get around i found a fairly fresh gumtree advert for a blue track ended frame with an ss wheelset, poorly constructed advert, and for the price of £150 i thought this quite reasonable , so i jumped on the train from ockendon and traveled to the agreed meeting point of whitechapel station, got there about 10 minuites late, and he kept phoning me, he wouldnt leave as he called it his "yard" until i was at said point, got there, handed over the cash and i now have the bike , if this is anyones and they would like it back i would be happy to give it back fro the payed amount.

Description: Blue frame (looks like a create but cant be sure, however am quite sure as ive had to replace the bb), Black forks, front brake is raleigh foreign, rear is weinmann 500 silver, wheels are both standard style wheels i.e. NOT deep v. 16t freewheel. maillard hubs. black and silver selle royale seat

i also still have the kids phone number if it turns out this is anyones bike. if it is yours pm me.

thanks

Hi - just new to the forum, can someone tell me more about getting my bike 'marked' couldn't quite elicit it in the thread? Registering with immobilise is a great tip - thanks for that.

craggy - speak to your local police, mine did it free, then register it with immobilise, if the bike is stolen and the roz find it they'll look for an id mark and check immobilise, apparently. Then they should contact you, which saves the bike ending up in a police auction.

i still cant get over how many stolen bikes get sold in brick lane
anyone know why the police dont just station themselves there undercover? (other than 'lack of resources')

Register the frame serial number on www.immobilise.com before your bike gets stolen, so if found by police it can be returned.

I have no connection to the site (other than as a user of it myself), but it's one of the few databases that the police bother to check. You can record any serial numbers on there eg xbox etc so if a thief gets caught with some stuff the police can actually prove it and get a conviction. Most items and bikes are sitting in police pounds or returned to thieves because no-one ever knows their serial numbers!

I use this as well (and have got one of their cheap little immobitag radio trackers with a horrible nasty sticker for my lovely frame). Not only do the police check it but also secondhand shops are supposed to check it before taking any goods (otherwise they can get done for handling). not much use to anyone whose bike has already been nicked to be fair (unless you have the actual serial number) but if you have something distinctive you can put it up there after the fact.

My Specialized Langster got nicked yesterday from Chelsea, just been to Brick Lane but nothing there. Just trying to do my 3 posts, before I get a full description up. Bikeshd is a brilliant idea, and good tip

Once again, New Covent Garden Market on Sunday is a potential trove adn just over the river from Chelsea. I heard from my mate that there were groups driving around in white vans with boltcutters nicking stuff off the street, and indeed I found at least three of them there when I went.

My Giant Track Team was stolen this evening from outside The Prospect of Whitby pub in Wapping. It was black, small, with carbon forks, brakless but had a Kore front lever mounted to the FSA compact drop bars. Carbon SCUD stem, white Bontrager Racelite front wheel, black destickered Mavic Ellipse rear, Schwalbe ultremo tyres, Prolite track cranks, 48-15 gearing, specialized carbon seat post, Coda saddle, clear plastic flat pedals, half link chain.
If anyone spots it please let me know. Reward if found.
Thanks. Dan 07766813431.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150549335645720&set=a.123294635719.204716.791815719&type=1

My friends flat in Dalston was broken into last night, her laptop, camera and bike have all been stolen. I know there will be hundreds of these on the streets, but if on the off chance you see this, or are offered it please let me know.

Charge Plug 2011 Light Blue, small.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/plug-2011-single-speed-road-bike-ec025580

I had a brilliant experience with the Task Force, they were so helpful. Not quite sure how they manage it at a time when police numbers are supposedly been cut but no complaints here!

this is useful, thanks

Thanks for sharing. The CTF are great and everybody should support them.

If there is vans going round with bolt-cutters is there any lock setup you can get which is going to prevent them making off with them?

If there is vans going round with bolt-cutters is there any lock setup you can get which is going to prevent them making off with them?

go to 'Locks that work' thread...

I built my bike from scratch. It was stolen last night from Old Street. PLEASE HELP ME GET IT BACK :( :( :( :( Defining features: purple LADIES Peugeot frame, flip flop hub and untaped charge plug handlebars put on upside down (they look like a moustache).

http://twitter.com/#!/lubellelou/status/128182786258513920/photo/1

Sorry to hear that Lucy. This thread is the one to post the details of your bike in. Also the pics not showing in your link.

Please please please keep your eyes peeled for the bike posted above in Hackney and Islington area. I will give a big reward for its return or some information about the area any sightings.

It was made by me, for me, and the faults in its making are done on purpose for my own preferences. It is super distinguishable.

Contact me on williamslucyann@gmail.com with ANYTHING - whether you've seen it, or have an idea about where Old Street based bike thieves sell?

Thankyou so much :)

thankyou vwm

someone in the ground floor of my block is currently hacksawing a lock of an expensive looking adult tricycle. hackney / bethnal green.

It's not the first time i have seen him removing locks. always on a different bike. and often resprays frames in the courtyard as well.

anyway, let me know if your tricycle has been stolen and i can put you in touch.
its a new looking green one with storage area at back.

On a more general note, what to do if there's a bike thief living in your block...?

Take pictures (or movies) and give them to the bike's owner. Or post them on here in a "found bikes" thread?

Or just ask him what he's doing?

yeah have already quizzed him. gifts from friends etc the usual response, even when i am clearly not believing him.