Concerns over security at Park Street cycle park in Cambridge after e-bike thefts
An electric bike stolen from what was billed as the UK’s ‘first secure cycle park’ in Cambridge was recovered the following day – when it was used by an individual thought to be targeting another bicycle in the city.
It was one of two stolen on 2 June from Park Street cycle park, despite both having three good locks on them.
The incidents have raised concerns about how secure the cycle park really is. Created in 2002 by converting 24 car parking spots to 271 cycle spaces, a new design was implemented in 2024, which included more accessible stands and a sliding door.
One of the victims of the 2 June thefts, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I cycle every day, have done for years and years.
“I invested in an electric because I come a long way and it’s a mission with the headwind. This was the first time I’d used the Park Street car park, where the aparthotel is in the process of construction at the moment. They’re pulling up the corner on the street so I didn’t park outside, I parked within the facility, which is covered.
“It’s got all sorts of messages and signs saying ‘lovely facility’ and it’s a very nice facility.”
The cyclist, who works nearby, left her bike at around 8.40am but it had gone by 4pm.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” said the cyclist. “Apparently two electrics were taken on the same day. There was a wicker basket on the floor and that was the only remaining thing. I spoke to a construction worker outside, and then I phoned the number on the wall – and that connected me to ‘how to dispose of your rubbish in different black or green or blue bins’.”
The cyclist filed a police report but was told there was no CCTV evidence available to use.
Omar Terywall, who runs the Official Stolen Bikes in Cambridge Facebook group, which helps to relocate owners with their stolen bicycles, swung into action.
“He phoned me on Monday night, saying, ‘I think we’ve found your bike’,” said the cyclist.
“And I was just elated, because that’s a shedload of money!”
It turned up when a fellow member of the Facebook group reported how a member of staff at David Lloyd gym in Cambridge had spotted an attempt to steal a battery from another electric bike.
“That bike belonged to one of the personal trainers who was watching from the window and darted downstairs with a whole bunch of other staff and chased this guy on foot,” said Omar. “He abandoned his bike there on the floor, and ran off.”
The abandoned bike was one of those stolen from Park Street. However, it did sustain a couple of hundred pounds’ damage in the process.
“It had some blue tape around some of the wiring,” explained Omar. “What the thieves had done – very cleverly – is hacked it so that they could get more speed. So it wasn’t capped at 25kph, it could go a lot faster.”
Meanwhile, Omar has concerns over Park Street’s security.
He said: “What’s niggled us is that there’s only three cameras there, and most of the racks are actually obscured so the cameras don’t pick up on anyone. It’s absolutely disgraceful particularly as it’s advertised as a secure CCTV bike storage.”
Omar understands that CCTV footage is being examined in relation to the other theft.
A police spokesperson said: “A crime for theft has been raised and is pending further investigative opportunities.”
Omar and the Facebook group have helped recover about 700 bikes since 2020.
“The work that we’ve done has prompted the police to take action. I think they do as much as they possibly can, but they’re so under-resourced.
“There’s a reason why the thieves are so brazen about it, and it’s because they keep getting away with these cycle thefts over and over again.”
He said he is aware of one household that use children as young as 12 to help steal bikes.
A Cambridge City Council spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear about any experiences of cycle theft from our cycle parks and understand how distressing and frustrating these incidents can be for those affected.
“Park Street cycle park offers covered and monitored cycle storage, and is equipped with CCTV cameras positioned at entry and exit points, as well as within the cycle park itself. These cameras are intended to act as a deterrent and to support police investigations when needed, though they do not offer guaranteed prevention nor capture every detail. The site is patrolled throughout the day at both regular and irregular intervals but we cannot provide constant surveillance.
“We strongly advise anyone who experiences or witnesses a theft to report it immediately to the police. If a crime is reported, the police can request and review CCTV footage through our control room. Even where footage may be limited or unavailable, each report helps to build a clearer picture of criminal activity in the area. This intelligence is vital in helping the police identify patterns, collate evidence, and plan future crime prevention measures.
“Along with Camcycle and Cambridgeshire police, the city council is part of a campaign called Save Our Cycles which encourages people to register bike frame numbers online and always lock their cycles securely.
To help protect against theft, the campaign encourages cyclists to use two D-locks or a D-lock plus cable that are marked with a Sold Secure Gold rating or above.
Ideally, both wheels and the frame should be locked to a stand as tightly as possible when left, and marking bikes with a police-approved identification scheme, such as BikeRegister, can also deter theft and assist in recovery.
For more details, visit cambridge.gov.uk/cycle-security.
