2:14pm Wednesday 10th January 2007
By David Doyle
BIKE theft across London has risen by nearly 30 per cent, a policing spokesman has revealed.
Graham Tope, leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the london Assembly, says the 28.5 per cent increase so far this year is the sharpest rise ever.
He said: "Whilst the number of cyclists in London has increased since 2000, the theft of bikes is rising at a worrying rate.
"Many bikes are left unattended or unlocked but this is not helped by the Met failing to take bike theft more seriously, with only five per cent of all stolen bikes returned to their owners on average each year.
"Police missed their target for reducing bike theft by 15 per cent last year and look set to miss it by around 40 per cent again this year.
"We also need to see better targeted investment in cycling facilities from the Mayor, including secure bike racks in well lit areas, educational packages and an integrated cycle network to increase road safety.
"The Mayor is quick to boast about the extra numbers of people cycling in London but it is frankly irresponsible if this lures people into physical danger and puts their bikes at risk."
But the Metropolitan Police have said the increase in numbers of bikes on the street is guaranteed to increase the numbers of bike related crimes.
A police spokesman said: "Although it is difficult to attribute the increase in bike thefts in London to a single factor, we believe that more people are cycling in the capital which will increase the number of bicycles available.
"The MPS is committed to tackling all crime in London including bicycle thefts, and would encourage cyclists to register their equipment on www.immobilise.com."
But Ealing Police say they are meeting their bike crime targets.
Spokesman Chris Mullally said: "We've set ourselves a target of reducing bicycle crime by 20 per cent.
"So far this year we are hitting our targets and have a reduction in thefts of bicycles by 20.4 per cent.
"This has happened through more visible policing and more safer neighbourhood teams as well as more secure places for people to leave their bicycles."
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