Bike Stolen After Violent Attack, Police Decline to Investigate
Cristiana reached out to BBC Your Voice after being informed there was "not much" the police could do when she was forcibly knocked off her electric bicycle and had it stolen while riding home from work.
She is from South Bermondsey and described how, in February, two men on a moped blocked her path along a cycle lane, knocked her off her electric Brompton bicycle, and stole it.
The assailants also attempted to steal her phone and backpack but did not succeed in taking either item.
After reporting the theft to the police, Cristiana was told by the call operator that there was "not much" the police could do. The following day, the Metropolitan Police informed her they would not be investigating the incident.
"No suspects had been identified," the Met told BBC London.
She expressed that the theft left her fearful and affected her daily life.
"Every time I leave work and I start to get close to where it happened, my body [is] shaking all over," she said.
As a result, she no longer cycles the 20 minutes to work but instead takes two buses, extending her commute to an hour.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police acknowledged the "significant impact" bike theft has on victims.
'So Traumatic'
Describing the day of the theft, Cristiana said she sustained a leg injury after being knocked off her bike on the designated cycle path.
"I was shaking completely and hurt," she said. "I just had to walk home and it was a horrible feeling.
"As soon as I got home I contacted the police, I told them what happened. He (the call-handler) said that there was not much he could do.
"I asked him, 'Do you have any advice?' He said: 'Try to walk on busy streets.'
"What am I supposed to do if the way to get home is not busy? It made me feel totally vulnerable."
Cristiana said the following day she was informed the case had been closed.
"That was shocking for me," she said. "It was awful to feel like just another crime [victim]."
She stated that increased police presence and more CCTV in her area would help her feel "more protected" against criminals.
She also said she does not want to replace her stolen bicycle as she now feels too afraid to cycle in London.
"It was so traumatic, I don't want to go through this again," she said.
A spokesperson for the London Cycling Campaign commented:
"Police do next to nothing about cycle theft, even when it includes violent bike-jacking by organised criminal gangs.
"Only 2% of those who have a bike stolen ever see it again and even basic follow-up is rare.
"The police need to act, particularly targeting violent criminals. But as our report shows, we also need more action from online marketplaces and a national register for bike sales. Bike theft should not just be part of the price of cycling in London."
'Unprotected and Vulnerable'
BBC London transport correspondent Tom Edwards noted the disbelief and frustration among cyclists and cycling groups that bike thefts are not investigated, even when violent attacks occur.
"It's difficult to say if the number of bike jackings has increased, but it has been going on for years. Considering a 1.5m journeys a day are by cycle in London, you would think bike-jacking is still relatively rare," Edwards said.
"But some cyclists feel unprotected and vulnerable and feel bike theft is not a police priority.
"Campaigners are calling for these thefts to be taken much more seriously and for a clampdown on the resale websites. At the moment, the criminal gangs often on mopeds clearly feel they can get away with it without any sanctions or repercussions."
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said:
"We are continuing to crack down on neighbourhood crimes that most affect our town centres and high streets. Since last April, theft across London has fallen by 21%.
"If your bike is stolen, report it to us as soon as possible online. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act, which might stop it being sold on."
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