‘We deal with a bike theft every day’ says London Fields Cycles

The shop said every day a customer comes to them having had their bike stolen. Picture: Melissa Page (Image: Archant)

Richard Cantle aims to help people recover stolen bikes through his Twitter-based cycling community Stolen Ride, and has chatted with shops about the volume of thefts in London – the bike theft capital of the UK. London Fields Cycles in Mare Street said they deal with a customer having their bike or parts stolen every day. To help stop it, the team said people should not buy second-hand bikes without proof of purchase.

They said: “We have witnessed the repercussions of honest buyers being caught in this situation which have resulted in being chased down by the (angry) original owner. Also keep a note of your frame number and get it marked with police.”

They also revealed some of the “memorable” crimes customers have experienced: “Some memorable scenarios that have left us bewildered include a bike saddle stolen and replaced with another bike saddle, a stolen bike actually replaced with another bike (not quite as nice but the customer at least has something to get home on) and also someone who just had the right hand gear shifter stolen.”