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Cyclist slams police who failed to act despite pictures showing bikes being stolen in broad daylight

West Yorkshire Police admits handling of bike theft call “fell short” of standards after the investigation was initially closed despite a member of public taking a photo of the suspects stealing bikes in Leeds

West Yorkshire Police have admitted that the handling of a call from a member of the public who witnessed bikes being stolen in Leeds city centre on Saturday afternoon “fell short of what victims of crime should reasonably expect,” with the force reopening its investigation into the thefts.

The bikes, stolen from where they had been parked close to Kirkgate Market in Leeds city centre, were a black 29" wheel Charge Cooker Mountain Bike frame number MT0153 and a Blue Tern Vektron folding e-bike, both described by Pete Zanzoterra, posting on Twitter, as “quite rare.”

He wrote: “Thanks to the member of the public that sent through these images of our bikes being stolen on Saturday. Unfortunately @WestYorksPolice are not prepared to follow up with CCTV, and the images aren’t clear enough for them to do anything. So in Leeds it’s up to you to investigate!”

A number of people replying to his tweet shared their own experiences of having bikes stolen in Leeds city centre, which according to the website UKCrimeStats ranked third in England & Wales in terms of cycle theft (excluding as part of a domestic burglary) during January 2023, with 32 reported stolen, only Cardiff and York Outer recording higher levels.

Four other neighbourhoods in Yorkshire’s largest city – Leeds South, Leeds North West, Leeds East and Leeds West – also featured in the top 13 of policing areas with the most bikes reported stolen during the month.

Others suggested that the perpetrators might already be known to the police.

In a statement provided to road.cc, Inspector Patrick Kenning, who leads the Leeds City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“We recognise that our handling of this call fell short of what a victim of crime should reasonably expect from West Yorkshire Police and will be addressing this through further training in the contact centre.

“We are speaking with the caller to reassure them that we are investigating this matter using the images provided and carrying out further enquiries to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible,” he added.

“West Yorkshire Police fully supports and encourages the use of sustainable transport in Leeds and the Leeds City Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to hold regular bicycle marking events in the city centre.

“These events through the Bike Register scheme have resulted in more than 4,000 bikes being security marked in Leeds over the last year and also led to a reduction in bicycle thefts across the district.”

The force’s website contains pictures of dozens of people that police want to trace in connection with various crimes committed within the territory it patrols, some of whom may be suspects, others witnesses.

Included in the ‘Do you recognise …’ gallery are a number of pictures of people officers would like to speak to in connection with thefts of bicycles within Leeds, including in the city centre.

Mr Zanzottera, who works as a self-employed sustainable transport consultant and is based in Leeds, told road.cc: “The police have re-opened the case and pursuing some leads.

“The bikes were secured through the Sheffield stand by two Abus 'scissor' locks which were cut and left at the scene.

“There is no evidence to say how they did it, but they are fairly high security locks, so it would have to be an angle grinder, or very powerful bolt croppers,” he added.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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19 comments

Avatar
VIPcyclist | 1 year ago
1 like

Of course Leeds is number three in the UK for bike thefts, the police turn a blind eye. It's like being in 1312.

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Pub bike | 1 year ago
2 likes

"Old school policing..."  which is just "policing".

What do the police spend their time doing?

 

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wtjs replied to Pub bike | 1 year ago
5 likes

What do the police spend their time doing?

Video reports of offences against cyclists don't just bin themselves! The officers have to go to the effort of clicking and dragging them!!

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hawkinspeter replied to Pub bike | 1 year ago
5 likes
Pub bike wrote:

"Old school policing..."  which is just "policing".

What do the police spend their time doing?

Harassing minorities?

Avatar
Brauchsel | 1 year ago
1 like

For anyone who knows Leeds, note that it's just outside the General Elliott. Chances are that the bikes were wheeled straight in to take advantage of the pub's thriving free market. 

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muhasib | 1 year ago
0 likes

Curious to know the reason the faces are obscured on the main picture - is it data protection or copyright issues?

I'll be walking past the same place on Saturday afternoon so maybe they'll be back...

 

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HalfDanHalfBiscuit replied to muhasib | 1 year ago
2 likes
muhasib wrote:

Curious to know the reason the faces are obscured on the main picture - is it data protection or copyright issues?

The effort is rather undermined by embedding the tweet containing the unaltered images further down the page.

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muhasib replied to HalfDanHalfBiscuit | 1 year ago
0 likes

That's why I thought there must be some reason for it, is it because they may not be adults (in the legal sense) ?

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quiff replied to muhasib | 1 year ago
3 likes

Well since the police don't think it's sufficient to identify them anyway, not sure there's an issue.

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Fignon's ghost | 1 year ago
0 likes

I really don't understand the furore here. I've been cycling since the 80's. I've never expected any more or less from law enforcement.
Bikes are always parked at your own risk. I also think that the gambling phrase, "only gamble with what you can afford to lose", applies.

Or. Buy a Brompton and take it with you!

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Car Delenda Est replied to Fignon's ghost | 1 year ago
3 likes

A second hand moped from Gumtree would be investigated if evidence like this were supplied, why not investigate the equivalent worth in bikes?

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ShutTheFrontDawes | 1 year ago
3 likes

You'd think they'd be very easy to catch with faces like that. Never seen anything like it.

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nniff | 1 year ago
3 likes

Battery-powered angle grinders on sale in Lidl for about £25 - substantiall less than a good lock.  they may be crap, but they're probabbly more than up to cutting through a lock...

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andystow replied to nniff | 1 year ago
6 likes
nniff wrote:

Battery-powered angle grinders on sale in Lidl for about £25 - substantiall less than a good lock.  they may be crap, but they're probabbly more than up to cutting through a lock...

They're available for free if you're fast enough!

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marmotte27 replied to andystow | 1 year ago
0 likes

Exactly why not steal the tools for theft while you're at it...

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ktache replied to nniff | 1 year ago
4 likes

When I mentioned a lovely Tern in town a few weeks back, and it having both D and chain lock, I mentioned wanting a kryptonite mini faggadabadit, someone brought up the topic of angle grinder resistant D locks, they are available, a few out there. expensive of course. Will be added to the list.

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Xenophon2 replied to ktache | 1 year ago
2 likes

Imho you're better off investing in good theft insurance.  Afaik there are (despite the publicity to the contrary) no locks that  can realistically withstand an angle grinder and that are somewhat portable.  2 locks are fine and dandy but imagine schlepping that around on a daily basis.  You're talking about 5 lbs, minimum.

I had one bike stolen 2 years ago, the insurance paid up and I've taken my cue from what happened:  no way will I leave my present bike unattended in public space, lock or no.  It stays in my office during the day and in my apartment at night.  I carry one light lock for use during road trips when I take a break.  Even then, the bike stays in the immediate vicinity.

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joe9090 replied to Xenophon2 | 1 year ago
0 likes

5lbs OMG

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Ride On replied to Xenophon2 | 1 year ago
0 likes

2nd vote for not leaving it unattended. Home - office - home.

I have occasionally walked round a supermarket with bike when it's not busy, spd is much easier than spd sl for this.

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