Police forces across England and Wales are struggling to tackle the rising problem of bike theft, with recent statistics revealing a staggering failure to solve the majority of cases. New data from the Home Office indicates that Avon and Somerset Police solved just over 10% of bike thefts last year, reflecting a widespread issue among many forces.
In fact, nearly two-thirds of police forces failed to solve more than 80% of cycle thefts, and none of the 44 forces analyzed solved more than 55% of reported cases, highlighting a systemic challenge in addressing this crime.
In response, Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, is advocating for the creation of a national taskforce—Operation Bike Bait—under the National Crime Agency. This initiative would deploy bicycles equipped with trackers to theft hotspots, enabling law enforcement to apprehend offenders in the act while facilitating intelligence sharing and coordinated efforts across counties.
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“The reality is, for many people in Taunton and Wellington, bike theft has become almost decriminalized,” Amos explains. “For young workers especially, a bike is essential for commuting and daily life. When it’s stolen, it disrupts their lives and leaves them frustrated by the lack of effective police action.”
Amos further emphasized: “Our police officers perform admirably but require better support and resources to tackle bike thefts more effectively. Locally, Liberal Democrats have helped introduce two Street Marshals to patrol Taunton town centre and secured ten extra police officers for Taunton and West Somerset. Yet, with rising living costs, people simply cannot afford to replace stolen bikes, making ‘Bike Bait’ a timely and necessary operation.”
Beyond catching thieves, Operation Bike Bait aims to develop a comprehensive national understanding of the bike theft epidemic and strengthen local police responses throughout the country.