Nearly 20,000 bike thefts have been recorded as a cycle theft crime wave continues to surge through Britain’s biggest cities. Thefts of two-wheeled devices rocketed by 20% in some areas in 2025, according to exclusive data obtained by the Express following a Freedom of Information request by number crunchers at Compare the Market.
They found 19,914 thefts recorded across Greater London, Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the City of London. Greater London reported the highest number (14,405), followed by Greater Manchester (2,544), and the West Midlands (1,925). Northern Ireland, the City of London, and Scotland reported 497, 286, and 257 thefts, respectively.
Regional trends show mixed picture
Overall, the total figures represent a 6% decrease compared to 2024, when 21,254 bicycle thefts occurred, and a 10% decrease relative to 2023, when 22,190 bicycle thefts were reported. But the regional picture remains mixed. While bicycle thefts decreased by 11% in Greater London and 14% in Northern Ireland since 2024, they increased by 20% in the West Midlands, by 24% in the City of London, and by 2% in Greater Manchester over the same period.
Expert advice on protecting your bike
Amy Rootham, home Insurance Expert at Compare the Market, said: “A bicycle might be one of the most valuable items people own outside of their home, whether it’s used for commuting, exercise, or leisure. While there are practical steps cyclists can take to help reduce the risk of theft, it's also important to understand what protection is available if the worst happens.”
“Many home contents insurance policies can provide cover for bicycles, either as standard when kept at home or through optional personal possessions cover that protects items when they're taken outside the property. As cover limits and requirements vary between insurers, it's worth checking your policy carefully to make sure your bike is adequately protected and comparing policies to find the right deal for your circumstances.”
Ten ways to protect your bike from theft
- Double lock it - Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target. Use two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock. Thieves are less likely to carry multiple tools, so use two different types of lock if possible.
- Lock the lot - Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand.
- Secure it - Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.
- Take removable parts with you - Take parts that are easy to remove with you, such as wheels, lights, baskets or the saddle. Or use locking skewers or nuts which can increase security by securing the bike's components to the frame permanently.
- Park securely - Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV.
- Register it - Register your frame number on a national bike registration database approved by Secured by Design. The frame number is usually found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in.
- Mark it - Get your bike security marked. It’s a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. Security marking products can be found at Secured by Design.
- Remember safety begins at home - Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street. Avoid advertising that you have a bike at home, for example, by removing car roof racks, and creating ‘privacy zones’ on apps like Strava.
- Check ownership - Ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on national bike registration databases approved by Secured by Design.
- Act fast - If your bike has been stolen, contact the police as soon as possible. Give them your frame number, cycle database number, a photo and any other details and update the status on the cycle database where you registered it.
