British Transport Police has reversed a policy that meant thefts of bikes locked up for more than two hours were not investigated. The new strategy, introduced in October, caused widespread uproar and also stated that bikes worth less than £200 would not be investigated.
It has been welcomed by campaign charity Cycling UK, which called BTP’s U-turn – brought quietly into policy on January 5 but announced this week – as a “real win for everyone”.
“Rail passengers whose bikes are stolen rightly expect a thorough police investigation to trace offenders and reunite them with their property…” he said.
“To further improve our service to victims, and following an internal review, we have recently refreshed our Crime Screening Policy.
“Under this updated Policy, our officers will investigate more reports and explore all viable lines of enquiry if a bike is identifiable on CCTV, or if there is a witness to the crime.”
The BTP policy effectively decriminalised bike theft, it was argued, considering how often people leave their bikes at rail stations for more than two hours – for example, on the daily commute to work.
He added: “When more people feel confident cycling to stations, it reduces congestion on our roads, eases pressure on parking and public transport and supports a more efficient economy overall. It also gives people real choice in how they travel, particularly at a time when many people are experiencing a cost-of-living crisis. We’re delighted that British Transport Police listened, engaged with us, recognised that supporting cycling supports the wider public good, and changed their policy.”
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