Stolen bikes recovered in Hackney

OVER 100 bikes have been recovered in Hackney – and police believe many, if not all, were probably stolen. Two men were arrested during the raid on suspicion of handling stolen goods and possession of criminal property.

One of the men is aged 60 and the other is aged 20. They have been released on bail and have to return to police later this month. Now officers face the task of matching up the bikes with their rightful owners.

The raid came about because a number of cyclists reported that they had found bikes that had been stolen from them were being advertised online. Police obtained a warrant and raided the Hackney premises on 2nd August.

Sergeant Jo Stephens said: “This was a significant seizure of bicycles we strongly believe have been stolen – either in burglaries, robberies, or from the street – for the purpose of selling on for a profit to unsuspecting buyers.

“While the internet is a good place to easily advertise and sell property, the informal nature of the transaction means that people also use certain websites to sell stolen goods quickly and anonymously, with little trace.”

Commenting on how cyclists can keep their bike more safely, Sergeant Stephens said, “We would urge anyone who has a bicycle to get it security-marked and registered at BikeRegister – this helps us return stolen property to its owner, and it also helps us bring prosecutions. Local Safer Neighbourhood Team officers across London offer this bike-marking service, and hold regular bike-marking events in high footfall areas – in towns, and near transport hubs.”

If you have had your bike stolen in Hackney or Tower Hamlets in the last six months, send an email with information about the bike (make, model, colour, serial number) and a picture if possible to:
CE-MiST@met.police.uk

●To find out how you can keep your bike safe, go to:
Bike Safety

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