Bike Thefts Increase :: Wessex Scene Online

Bike Thefts Increase

22nd January 2008
Kieran Kelly

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Bicycle theft at UK universities is on the rise, with thieves taking advantage of unlocked bikes and those locked in less visible or unattended areas.

The majority of the thefts reported are from those who leave their bikes unlocked and unattended, ‘just for a minute’ while they attend to something else. However, even locking up your bike does not guarantee its safety. There has also been a reported increase in the more ‘professionalised’ cases of theft, with bicycles stolen by those equipped with allen keys, bolt cutters and even hydraulic jacks to break ‘D’ locks. In other cases, accessories were stolen, including saddles, seats, wheels and lights.

Susie Hunt, a student at Southampton, had her bike taken from outside Avenue campus: "Granted my bike lock was not sufficient, but I was surprised to hear there was no CCTV monitoring the bike shed."

She added:"I was baffled to spot it a few days later in the locked bike sheds at Avenue, so perhaps someone from the University had the audacity to steal it!"

Susie was unable to claim her bike back, and it was gone the next day. She felt the security was insufficient, but does the problem realy lie with the University?

Sam Pocock, a third year English student at Southampton had parts of his bike taken, also on Avenue campus. However he was quick to praise the facilities that the University offers: "I now have access to all the locked bike sheds which are realiy good" he said.

"What surprised me was that, in such a public space, no one saw the thief taking my bike apart."

The University’s Bike User Network advises students to chain or lock their bikes in well lit areas to something solid, however long they plan to leave them.

Freshers’ are entitled to use the University’s secure storage facility for free at both their halls of residence and on campus. Other students can register for the swipe-card facilities at a cost of Ł10.00 per year from the Student’s Union, Avenue Campus or the Uni-Link office located in the Travel Centre This system has virtually erased the possibility of theft for those who use them.

Following these reports, one student joked how he had left his old bike on campus over the entire summer holiday in the hope that it would be stolen: "The bike’s gears and suspension were broken and I couldn’t afford to replace them" he said.

"It was exactly where I left it when I got back though. I guess these guys aren’t stupid."