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Bikes at train stations are being targetted by thieves
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Warning after rise in bike vandalism at rail stations

By Melanie Roberts
January 12, 2009

Cyclists in Farnborough and Fleet are being warned to secure their bikes after the number vandalised or stolen from both railway stations more than doubled in the last year.

Thieves used bolt cutters and saws, among other tools, to damage or steal 53 cycles left at Farnborough Main railway station in 2008, 30 more than in 2007.

In Fleet, 57 bikes were vandalised or stolen from the town’s railway station, compared with 25 in 2007.

A total of 802 bikes were vandalised or stolen from railway stations across the county, compared to 659 in 2007.

Vandalism can include theft of parts such as the saddle or lights.

British Transport Police has linked the rise to the credit crunch and thieves looking to make cash from selling the stolen bikes or accessories as scrap metal.

Steve Brown, crime and victim care manager at Southampton British Trans-port Police, which covers Fleet and Farnborough, said patrols had been stepped up across all stations in Hampshire.

Plain-clothed officers and rail community officers have also been deployed in an effort to tackle the problem.

He told the News that although reports of bikes being vandalised or stolen from railway stations had reduced in the last two months, the numbers were high compared to last year.

“Farnborough and Fleet were not the only stations being targeted,” Mr Brown said.

“This is a problem at a number of stations across Hampshire.

“A couple of months ago it was really bad.

“We suspected the bikes were being stolen for scrap value so people were stealing them and selling them on for a few quid because of the credit crunch.”

Mr Brown said in some cases, angle grinders were even used to cut through D-locks — chunky ‘D’ letter-shaped locks that are typically made from hardened steel.

He said: “The thieves come equipped.

“Normally you would have to plug an angle grinder in, so how they are powering it we are not sure.

“Whether it is by a battery pack or something, they are using it to get through D-locks.

“Combination locks just don’t cut it. Because these tools are being used they just break up.”

He advised cyclists to triple lock their bike to deter thieves.

This means locking it through the front and back wheels and frame before looping it back through the frame and both wheels to the stand.

Mr Brown said: “The best thing you can do is buy time.

“If you are a thief looking at two bikes where one is locked with a triple lock and the other with just one it’s a no brainer which one they are going to tackle.”

Folding bikes can also be taken on to some trains, although passengers are advised to check with staff at the station they travel from.

Des Series, manager at Cycle Kingdom in Fleet, said he had noticed an influx of customers whose bikes had been vandalised when left at Fleet railway station around October last year.

He said using an older bike of less value rather than a new, expensive model could also help attract less attention from thieves.

“Around October and November I spoke to a lot of customers whose bikes had been vandalised.

“Most of our customers did have it locked up, but unfortunately bits were stolen off it.

“Handlebars, wheels taken out from the frame — just done for the sheer hell of it.

“Anyone who leaves their bike locked up should take off any fittings like lights — anything that can be taken off.”

Mr Series said he believed security could be improved with more station staff and CCTV cameras.

However, Mr Brown said even when thieves are captured on CCTV, they can be difficult to identify if it is

dark and they are wearing a hoodie.

He said: “When we looked at CCTV footage we discovered we were looking at thefts that had not even been reported.

“Members of the public had obviously thought, ‘it’s only a bike’.

“But it’s the same old story — if we are not told and don’t know about it we can’t do anything about it.

“We would always encourage members of the public to report it if their bike has been vandalised or stolen.”

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My bike was stolen during the October half term from Farnborough North Station, despite being electronically tagged and securely locked to a cycle hoop on the platform. Sadly First Great Western have decided that CCTV at this much vandalised station, where there have also been regular bike thefts, is not a priority despite promising to increase security across the network as part of their franchise. With modern digital technology becoming cheaper and higher in quality, surely there are no grounds for any public transport interchange not to be equipped with colour CCTV and suitable illumination to deal with the 'pond life' who habitually steal bikes and smash shelters?