A unit should be set up in the National Crime Agency to carry out “bike bait” operations to catch bicycle thieves, the Liberal Democrats have said.
The party has suggested the unit would work with local police forces to carry out targeted operations, planting bicycles fitted with trackers in theft hotspots so officers can catch offenders and uncover criminal networks.
‘Operation Bike Bait’ would also coordinate the collection and sharing of intelligence and best practice across police forces, "helping to build a national picture of bike theft and improve the policing response."
It has cited Home Office data which shows that across England and Wales, 86 per cent of bike theft cases are unsolved.
Bristol Liberal Democrat councillor Nicholas Coombes said: “Like thousands of other cyclists, I am always worried to leave my bike around the city because of the danger posed by bike thieves. It shouldn’t have to be like this.
“I know local people are furious about the effective decriminalisation of bike theft in our city. Hundreds are denied the justice they deserve after their property is stolen, letting criminals get away scot-free. Our police do fantastic work in our community, but they need support and resource.”
- Read more: Bikes stolen at train stations after being left for more than two hours will not be investigated
The Liberal Democrats proposal is not without precedent. In 2024, ITV News reported that City of London police were able to follow a ‘bait bike’ through London, which led officers to a haul of around £130,000 worth of stolen bicycles.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said: “The idea to target bike theft and the wider criminal networks that treat it like a business is a strong one. With so many stolen bikes being resold through online platforms, we know full well that targeting these groups can significantly reduce theft.
“People rely on their bikes as one of the most affordable ways to get around. It is simply not acceptable that the British Transport Police will not review the evidence of these crimes, when they relate to larger issues around organised crime. It’s time we treat this issue seriously.”
The ‘Operation Bike Bait' proposal comes as part of the Liberal Democrats renewed calls for the Government to implement “proper community policing”.
It also follows the British Transport Police’s decision not to investigate bike thefts at train stations where the bicycle has been left for more than two hours.
Critics said the measure effectively ‘decriminalises’ bike theft and that it “will hit lowest income groups the hardest”.
The British Transport Police refuted 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.”
