British Transport Police has clarified its position on thefts of bikes from train stations, following widespread criticism of the policy, announced last week.
British Transport Police (BTP) announced it would no longer investigate bike thefts from stations if the bike had been left for more than two hours or if the bike’s value was assessed at less than £200.
With more than 14,000 bikes reported stolen from outside train stations between 2021 and 2023, this policy has been heavily criticised for giving a green light to bike thieves and penalising lower-income groups.
It has also been revealed that this policy has been in place since August 2024, at a time when bike thefts from stations have been increasing, with a 39 per cent reported increase in such crimes between 2022 and 2023.
Now, the BTP has sought to clarify its position, issuing a statement, while BTP assistant chief constable Ian Drummond-Smith defended the policy when interviewed on the BBC’s Today programme.
“We’ve targeted hot spots where bikes are stolen, using a whole variety of police tactics. In some of those hot spots, we’ve reduced cycle crime by up to a quarter.
“What we simply can’t do is watch tens of hours of footage for a single bike theft. So far this year, we’ve arrested 55 people for cycle theft,” Drummond-Smith stated.
“Not decriminalising bicycle theft”
In its statement, BTP refutes the claim that bicycle thefts have been decriminalised, stating: “Bicycle thefts have not been de-criminalised as some headlines have suggested. When we do not have a clear time or location for the offence, or if there is a lack of CCTV, witnesses or other evidence, it can be very difficult to solve a crime.
“If it is available we will review around two hours of CCTV footage to try to identify the incident, but it is not proportionate to review longer periods.”
BTP states it is working with train operating companies to look at other ways of investigating bike theft. Drummond-Smith suggested that in future BTP might employ AI to screen footage and identify suspects, although he didn’t identify any specific projects planned to achieve this.
Knowing how to lock your bike securely, using a quality, security-rated bike lock, registering your bike and having adequate cycle insurance remain your best safeguards against having your bike stolen and the financial loss incurred.
