What to do if your bike is stolen

Has this been resolved stickied yet?

What's the status of that [Bikeregister] now? Should we recommend both? I think that things are moving towards a unified national database.

Not sure, I'm afraid - but the police were using it earlier this week as they stopped cyclists and suggested that they code their bikes.

On one of the cards from Condor - if your bike is stolen in the City, call the City of London police 020 7601 2000

Not sure, I'm afraid - but the police were using it earlier this week as they stopped cyclists and suggested that they code their bikes.

We just need some consistency in this--I'll try to find out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv/episodes/upcoming

Not bike related, but JC's report (Shown 26-09-10) on the theft of farm machinery has some great anti theft advice. Microdots and synthetic DNA glue which can be painted on to all parts etc.

Would be nice to see some of these used on bikes.

You can call either the City or the Mets if your bike is stolen in London and they'll transfer the report to the relevant force. The report won't go astray if you call the wrong force - it'll just be delayed a bit.

Reporting the theft and registering your bike (even after the theft) is a really good idea. Recovered bikes often go unclaimed and their owners can't be traced. I think Immobilise is the one the police go to first.

Re locks - this may be the wrong thread - I always use two different types (eg cable and d-lock) as villains generally only have the equipment to attack one type.

The Fagh looks like one of the best but does it have a sold secure rating? If not insurers may not cover bikes locked using it.

And advice from a bike thief Interesting that he was not at all deterred by CCTV. Leave it outside a cafe/pub or where there are a lot of people.

If you buy a new bike keep the receipt safe - Should have the make/model/frame number and any anti-theft tagging (alphdot etc) numbers on, which will be useful proof of ownership if you need to reclaim it. If you've lost it, the bike shop may still have you on the system and can print you a copy.

Also, Keep up to date photos of your bike. Will make it easier for people to spot it if it's stolen than a photo of it with different saddles/bar tape/forks etc.

Re locks - this may be the wrong thread - I always use two different types (eg cable and d-lock) as villains generally only have the equipment to attack one type.

The Fagh looks like one of the best but does it have a sold secure rating? If not insurers may not cover bikes locked using it.

Get reading!

A dude I respect in a popular bike shop on these boards told me that bikes locked upside down don't get nicked. Too precious about scratching up my Brooks to do it, but may work?

odd ? why would that be
does it confuse the thick wankers ? can't be a bike it hasn't got wheels that touch the ground ?

Thanks, all. I think I've added all the info that's been posted. Keep it coming!

Just a bit of advice from experience guys: The CCTV on my street actually saw the guys who took my bike. The CCTV clearly saw the two guys take it, I spoke to the CCTV operator myself who confirmed as much but the camera being panned out it couldnt make a clear ID of the culprit's faces. Hence, unless the CCTV local to your bike being stolen has an operator on hand, notices your bike being stolen, zooms in on his face (assuming he's NOT to be wearing a hat or hoodie) it's going to help you get your bike back sweet FA as it did me.

Heres a list of the next Met cycle marking events :

Want to make your bike more safe and secure? Come along to any of the Cycle marking events below:

8-10 October All day Cycle Show Earls Court, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London, SW5 9TA
11 Oct - 4pm to 7pm - Blackfriars Bridge SE1
14 Oct - 10am to 4pm - Walthamstow Town Square E17
19 Oct - 8am to 10am - Penton Street NW1
20 Oct - 1pm to 6pm Paddington Railway Station W2
21 Oct - 4pm to 7pm Duke of York Steps, The Mall SW1
27 Oct - 10am to 4pm Peckham Pulse, Melon Road, SE15 5QN

I used bikeshd.co.uk to try an find mine. Didnt work but I bought my next bike with it.

I used bikeshd.co.uk to try an find mine. Didnt work but I bought my next bike with it.

That's all right, then. ?

City Police are catching up with the Met a bit. Cycle squad officers will be in Condor every weekday between 12.15-12.45 for (according to the poster) cycle safety and security advice. No indication if they will be doing marking.

Condor also have a marked up police tt bicycle in the window so would-be RLJers should look out for Old Bill in skin suits...

I managed to completely wipe my marking off with just some ecover all-purpose cleaner... I thought it was chemically etched :/

It soaks into the paint...apparently you can't remove it without stripping to bare metal. That's what I was told by the copper who did mine.

Thanks for the tips - gf's wheels have just been nicked :-(

This will sound like I am taking the piss - I'm not though!

Stand the bike on it's back and wheel and get a friend to take photo of your face next to the frame number. Keep this photo in your mobile phone.

Sadly if you're bike does get nicked, there's no way you'll get it back really. Prevention is better than a cure.

But the idea posted above is a good one but a better one is to take a picture of you with it as mentioned, photocopy that picture, write a parts list on it, roll it up and stick it inside your seat post. So if you do catch them at it and there's the po po around to intervene you can prove it quick and easy with an allen key. But you'd be lucky to be in that situation...

Another idea which is debatable if you often get your saddle nicked is to use an actual bike chain (not a lock chain but a drive train chain) to attach one or two of the rails of it to the seat stay. If your fussed about scratching the paint, use a bit of gaffer tape or a sticker on the stay and connect the chain tightly so it doesn't rub.

Personally I'm not sold on it as they may just decide to batter your wheels or something instead but you never know.

OP updated with info about the Hackney Cycle Crime Unit:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread53274.html

bump

Should be stickied?