Bike thefts increase by 50 per cent since beginning of lockdown

Sam Meadows
·2 min read
A cyclist on Waterloo Bridge in London, which may be restricted to people walking, cycling and buses only, with pavements widened so people can safely travel between busy railway stations and their workplaces as coronavirus restriction slowly begin to ease - PA
A cyclist on Waterloo Bridge in London, which may be restricted to people walking, cycling and buses only, with pavements widened so people can safely travel between busy railway stations and their workplaces as coronavirus restriction slowly begin to ease - PA

Bike thefts have increased by 50 per cent as more people have turned to cycling during the lockdown, an insurer has said.

Home insurer Admiral said it had seen a 46 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of claims for bicycle thefts over the seven weeks from March 23, the day the lockdown was announced. The overall number of home insurance claims fell during the same period.

Bike shops and manufacturers have reported a surge in bike sales after the Government advised people to avoid public transport wherever possible.

Admiral said new bike owners should make sure they keep their prized possessions secure because thieves could see bikes as an easy target with people staying in their homes.

David Fowkes, of Admiral, said: "It [the increase] is incredible when you consider that overall theft claims have fallen during the lockdown as people have stayed at home, deterring burglars.

"Unfortunately, this probably means that thieves are looking for easier targets – and the rise of budding cycling enthusiasts around the country might be the opportunity they're looking for."

Admiral's figures shows how common bike theft has become during the lockdown, with pedal bikes accounting for 37 per cent of theft claims in the past seven weeks compared to 12 per cent last year.

Mr Fowkes added: "We're warning all cyclists, whether they've been cycling for years or have just bought their first bike, to be vigilant, keep an eye out for thieves and step up their bike security."

There have been reports of NHS and health workers having their bikes stolen from hospitals while they worked, leaving them with two-hour journeys to get home.

The latest figures showed that 100,000 bikes were stolen in 2018-19, with analysis by The Telegraph suggesting that just one in 50 cases is solved.

Admiral said bikes should be locked to a "solid, immovable object" with a decent lock, even if left unattended for just a few seconds. The firm advised making sure the area in which a bike is locked is well-lit and covered by CCTV.

Bikes should be registered with a national scheme and the owner should take photos of the bike including any distinguishing features in case it is stolen, the firm added.