Bike theft “decriminalised” as 350,000 cases go unsolved since 2019 

EMBARGO: 22:30 1st January 2024

• Average of 200 bike thefts are going unsolved every day

• Bike theft effectively decriminalised as only 2% of cases lead to a suspect being charged

• Lib Dems warn allowing thieves to get away with it is “adding salt into the wound” of crime victims 

The Liberal Democrats have warned that bike theft has effectively been “decriminalised”, after the party’s analysis reveals a staggering 350,000 bike cases have gone unsolved since 2019.

The figures show that 9 in 10 cases of bike theft have gone unsolved in the past five years, while shockingly just 2% or one in fifty cases led to a suspect being charged.

A staggering 365,706 bike thefts across England and Wales have gone unsolved - accounting for 89% of all cases. This means an average of 200 bike thefts are going unsolved every single day. 

Meanwhile, just 8,437 bike theft cases or 2% of the total resulted in a suspect being charged in the past five years. The proportion of cases leading to a suspect being charged has fallen from 3% in 2018/19 to just 2% in 2022/23.

The Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservatives for decimating community policing and failing to ensure crimes like bike theft are properly investigated, warning it is “adding salt into the wound” for victims. Since 2015, the Conservatives have also taken over 4,000 Police Community Support Officers off the streets. And as of last year, just 12% of officers across England and Wales were assigned to frontline neighbourhood policing teams. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible and trusted, with the time and resources to focus on tackling local crimes.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: 

“These shocking figures will leave people wondering if bike theft has been decriminalised. 

“Whether it’s used for commuting, family days out or exercise, people’s bikes are a hugely valued possession. So bike thefts leave victims feeling both out of pocket and distressed, and knowing the thief will probably get away with it just adds salt into the wound.

“Years of neglect under this Conservative government have emboldened criminals and left frontline police officers without the resources they need to investigate crimes like bike theft properly. 

“The government needs to restore community policing where police are visible in their neighbourhoods and can focus on solving local crimes.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors: 

Full data is available here, based on Home Office, Police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables.

Data on PCSO cuts can be found here, based on Home Office, Police Workforce: England and Wales, Table H7(various editions). 

Data on neighbourhood policing team size can be found here, based on Home Office, Police workforce England and Wales statistics.