British Transport Police has implemented significant changes to its approach towards bicycle thefts occurring outside railway stations, following sustained criticism from campaigners who argued the previous policy amounted to a form of "decriminalisation".
Policy Shift After Campaigner Pressure
The force will now investigate cases where a stolen bicycle can be identified on closed-circuit television systems or where there is a witness to the theft. This represents a substantial departure from the previous guidelines, under which officers would not investigate a bike theft if the bicycle had been left unattended for more than two hours or if its value was estimated to be less than £200.
Campaigners' Decriminalisation Concerns
Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, spearheaded the campaign for change through two open letters to the transport police. The organisation argued that the original policy created significant security concerns for commuters who rely on cycling facilities at railway stations.
Sarah McMonagle, the charity's head of campaigns, emphasised in her October correspondence: "Almost everyone who parks their cycle at a train station will leave it there for more than two hours, so at a stroke this policy will result in most cycle thefts at stations not being investigated. That sends a message to criminals that cycle theft at stations is a low-risk but high-reward crime."
Broader Implications for Commuting
The campaigners further contended that the restrictive policy would likely deter people from cycling to railway stations altogether, given that inadequate secure parking already represents a substantial barrier to bicycle commuting. They warned this could potentially lead to decreased rail passenger numbers as commuters seek alternative transportation methods.
Revised Investigation Framework
The updated policy came into effect on 5 January 2026, following an internal review by British Transport Police. Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith explained: "Rail passengers whose bikes are stolen rightly expect a thorough police investigation to trace offenders and reunite them with their property, and we are committed to bringing more bike thieves to justice in 2026 than ever before."
He added: "Under this updated policy, our officers will investigate more reports and explore all viable lines of enquiry if a bike is identifiable on CCTV, or if there is a witness to the crime."
Enhanced Security Measures
The transport police have also committed to working more closely with railway industry partners to identify theft hotspot locations and improve the quality of surveillance footage available for investigations. This collaborative approach aims to strengthen evidence gathering and increase successful prosecutions.
Since implementing the policy review, British Transport Police has already charged one individual with cycle theft, demonstrating the practical application of the new guidelines. The force maintains that teams across England, Scotland, and Wales continue their efforts to enhance railway safety and security for all passengers and commuters.
