Dear Resident,

Whether you’re a budding professional or a casual weekend rider, we want to make sure Cambridgeshire’s cyclists and bicycle owners are keeping their bicycles safe from thieves, as we know how upsetting it can be if your bike is stolen. 

Before we get into what you should do if your bike is stolen, let’s go over these 10 practical tips to try and prevent that from ever happening to you.

1. Double lock it

Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target. Use two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock. Thieves are less likely to carry multiple tools, so use two different types of lock if possible.

2. Lock the lot

Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand.

3. Secure it

Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.

4. Take removable parts with you

Take parts that are easy to remove with you, such as wheels, lights, baskets or the saddle. Or use locking skewers or nuts which can increase security by securing the bike's components to the frame permanently.

5. Park securely

Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV.

6. Register it

Register your frame number on a national bike registration database approved by Secured by Design. The frame number is usually found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in. If your bike is ever stolen and recovered by the police, it can be traced back to you.

7. Mark it

Get your bike security marked. It’s a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught with a registered bike, the owner can be traced and they will be arrested. Security marking products can be found at Secured by Design.

8. Remember safety begins at home

Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street. Avoid advertising that you have a bike at home, for example, by removing car roof racks, and creating ‘privacy zones’ on apps like Strava to avoid disclosing your location. 

9. Check ownership

Ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on national bike registration databases approved by Secured by Design.

10. Act fast 

If your bike has been stolen, contact us as soon as possible by reporting online. Give us your frame number, cycle database number, a photo and any other details and make sure you update the status on the cycle database where you registered it. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act, which might stop it being sold on.

If your bike is stolen…

First things, first – report it to us. The quickest and easiest way to report your stolen bike to us is online. Just click ‘report a crime’ on our website and provide us with all the information. 

It's important that you include:

One of our call handlers will review your report and get back to you with a crime reference number. (Remember to always check your junk folders and don’t call us to make sure we’ve got the report – rest assured we have got it and someone will be dealing with it!)

Reporting online is the exact same as calling 101, but is often much quicker and more efficient as it eliminates waiting times on the phone lines which can get very busy. If you do not have online access, you can call 101 to report it. 

After you have reported it to us…

If you have reported online, you can expect to receive an automated response with a receipt code, and then once it has been processed by a call handler, you will receive an email with a crime reference number (remember to check junk folders!)

Take a note of your crime reference number and keep the case updated with any new details. If you have cycle insurance, you will need this reference.

Now you have told us about your stolen bike, leave it with us. We'll investigate your report based on the information you’ve provided and get back to you within 48 hours, either with a crime reference number or, if we can’t take action, an explanation as to why and further advice.

We won't call you unless we need more information, to clarify something in your report or if there might be an opportunity to collect forensic evidence.

And then…

If you are a member of a bike registration company, such as BikeRegister, notify them about the theft. These companies will warn potential buyers if someone is trying to sell your bicycle and they put your frame number in.

We also recommend checking online selling platforms such as Facebook, eBay and Gumtree to see f your bike has been listed for sale. Additionally, Find that bike lists adverts for bikes placed on online marketplaces, which you can check frequently to see if yours has been listed for sale.

Stolen Bikes in the UK will also help to spread the word on the theft of your bike and offer you advice to help get it back.

It might also be worth visiting and posting on the following forums:

Kind regards,