Police insist they take Lincoln bike thefts seriously after criticism

Lincolnshire Police say they aren’t ignoring bike thefts despite criticism from a victim.

There has been a spate of thefts in Lincoln lately, which one man has described as an “epidemic.”

72 bikes have been stolen from around Lincoln city centre since July.

The lower end of the High Street, the University of Lincoln bike racks and the Brayford Pool have been highlighted by police as hotspots.

A Lincoln man recently had a bike stolen from his house, and also knew two people who were victims in the last few weeks after their locks were cut.

“It’s disgusting that our thefts are not being taken more seriously by the authorities.

“They’re not ‘just bicycles’ – they become a part of our life, a tool for good and a means of exercise, just for some scumbag to come along and take them,” he said.

A Carrera Vengeance ebike which was stolen days after its owner bought it | Photo: Submitted/LDRS

Another man had his Carrera Vengeance ebike, which he’d owned just 13 days, stolen from near the YMCA on Tritton Road.

However, Lincolnshire Police insist that they are investigating all reports.

Inspector Jon Birkin from the Lincoln NPT, said: “We know how upsetting have a  bike stolen can be, and we take these reports seriously.

“We will follow all investigative avenues available, including acting on intelligence we receive, local area enquiries, and checking CCTV footage, as well as some other lines of enquires we can’t talk about.”

Thieves have attempted to cut locks in many cases such as this | Photo: LDRS/The Lincolnite

A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said:  “We treat theft of bikes as a priority for the city, and over the past several months we have identified named suspects in almost a third of cases, with two offenders already sentenced at court following successful investigations and charges, and a further three due in court over the next few months. This is an ongoing area of work for the Lincoln Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).”

Police have named several individuals who have been charged or sentenced for bike thefts in recent months:

• Perry Calvert, 46, of no fixed address, has been charged with theft of two cycles in April, and is due to appear in at Lincoln Magistrate’s Court on December 8.
• Nathan Williamson, was charged with the theft of a cycle in September, and is due to appear at Lincoln District Magistrate’s Court on December 15.
• Adam Golightly, 43, of Glynn View, Lincoln, has been charged with theft of two cycles in July, and is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrate’s Court on January 9 2023.
• Carl Atkin, 37, of Friars Lane, Lincoln, was given an 10 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months in August for the theft of a cycle in July.
• Luke Moran, 25, of Gaunt Street, Lincoln, was given an 18 month conditional discharge following the theft of four cycles.

Thefts have also been reported at the lower end of Lincoln high street | Photo: LDRS/The Lincolnite

Police have advised bike owners to register their bike’s details with databases such as  BikeRegister or immobilise.com, and get a security marking or use SmartWater.

Double locking and D-locks are also likely to deter thieves.

Reporting any thefts immediately by calling 101 or reporting online and giving the bike’s details can prevent it from being sold on.