"Almost everyone who parks their cycle at a train station will leave it there for more than two hours, so at a stroke this policy will result in most cycle thefts at stations not being investigated. That sends a message to criminals that cycle theft at stations is a low-risk but high-reward crime. It is also likely to deter people from cycling to train stations, because we know that the lack of secure cycle parking is a substantial barrier to cycling."
"The British Transport Police (BTP) will now investigate bike thefts outside railway stations after campaigners claimed not doing so sends a message that stealing bikes is effectively decriminalised. Officers will now investigate cases where a bike can be identified on CCTV or where there is a witness to the theft. Under BTP's previous policy, officers would not investigate a bike theft outside a station if the bike had been left for more than two hours, or if it was worth less than 200."
British Transport Police will investigate bike thefts outside railway stations when a bike can be identified on CCTV or when there is a witness. Changes to the policy took effect on 5 January. Under the previous policy, officers would not investigate a bike left for more than two hours or valued under 200, which excluded many commuter cases. Cycling UK sent two open letters arguing that not investigating station thefts makes cycling to stations less secure, deters people from cycling, and risks increasing crime and reducing rail passenger numbers. Campaigners noted most commuters leave bikes for more than two hours, so the earlier rule ruled out most cases.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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