Cyclists across the capital are being forced into a devastating 'postcode lottery' when reporting stolen bicycles, with their chances of seeing police action entirely dependent on which borough they reside in, a shocking Daily Mail investigation can reveal.
The alarming disparity in police response rates has left thousands of victims without justice, effectively decriminalising bicycle theft in vast swathes of London. While some boroughs offer a glimmer of hope, others have all but given up on investigating these crimes.
The Borough Divide: A Tale of Two Cities
Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests paints a stark picture of inequality. In the City of London, a remarkable 100% of reported bike thefts resulted in police action. Westminster followed at 28.4%, while Camden managed 18.5%.
However, the situation becomes increasingly grim elsewhere. Islington saw just 3.1% of cases acted upon, while Hackney recorded a mere 2.5%. Most alarmingly, seven boroughs – including Haringey, Redbridge, and Havering – took action on less than 2% of reported thefts, effectively abandoning cyclists to fend for themselves.
The Human Cost: Voices From the Crisis
Victims have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. One cyclist described the 'sickening' feeling of discovering their £1,250 bike stolen, only to be met with police indifference. Many report being offered nothing more than a crime reference number for insurance purposes, with no investigation forthcoming.
The financial impact is substantial, with the average stolen bicycle valued at £500-£1,000. For many Londoners, this represents not just a mode of transport, but a vital investment in their daily lives and livelihoods.
A System in Crisis?
The Metropolitan Police's own performance data reveals the scale of the challenge. With nearly 60,000 bicycles reported stolen across London since 2019, and an estimated 80% of thefts going unreported, the true figure could approach a staggering 300,000 incidents.
Despite these overwhelming numbers, the Met has struggled to maintain consistent response rates. Action on bike thefts has plummeted from 9.4% in 2019 to just 4.1% in 2023, suggesting a growing crisis in policing priorities and resources.
The Way Forward
Campaigners and cycling advocates are calling for urgent action. They argue that treating bicycle theft as a 'minor crime' fails to recognise its impact on victims and its connections to organised criminal networks.
As London continues to promote cycling as a sustainable transport solution, the failure to protect cyclists' property threatens to undermine public confidence and the city's green ambitions.
