Cambridge bike thief jailed thanks to CCTV operators

A Cambridge bike thief, who was captured stealing high value bikes by eagle-eyed CCTV operators, has been sent to prison.

James Peyton, 28, was first spotted stealing an electronic push bike in Trumpington Street on November 11, just minutes after the owner had locked it up and left it.

They saw him take a road bike from Parker’s Piece ten minutes after the owner had locked it up on November 20 and then on December 6, the CCTV operators alerted police to Market Street where Peyton was striking again but he feld before officers arrived.

Police caught up with Peyton on Saturday (December 11) after CCTV operators once again alerted police when he was acting suspiciously on Kings Parade. He was then arrested.

Peyton, of no fixed abode, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday (December 13) where he pleaded guilty to going equipped for theft, attempted theft of a bike, criminal damage and two counts of bike theft. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and must pay £200 in compensation.

PC Jessica Freeman, from the Cambridge city neighbourhood policing team, said: “Thanks to CCTV operators working in the city centre, we were able to catch Peyton and put him before the courts with a wealth of video evidence of him carrying out multiple crimes.”

PC George McCready, who investigated, added: “We hope this sentence serves as a warning to other bike thieves operating in the city that these crimes are taken seriously by the courts and they too could find themselves in prison.”

Cllr Alex Collis, executive councillor for open spaces, sustainable food and community wellbeing at the city council, said: “I’m very pleased that the CCTV service we share with Huntingdonshire District Council has helped in the successful prosecution of this person for bike theft, a crime which affects so many people in Cambridge. CCTV plays a vital role in helping people feel safe, and helps our partners in the police to act swiftly to prevent antisocial or criminal behaviour. That is why we have recently invested further in our CCTV systems covering car parks and public spaces, so residents and visitors can feel safe while enjoying our city.”

Visit the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website for more information about cycle crime prevention.