Cycle theft still ‘most prevalent’ type of crime in Cambridge
Cycle theft is still one of the “most prevalent” type of crime taking place in Cambridge, with it potentially being one of the “most under reported” crimes as well.
According to a report prepared by Cambridgeshire Constabulary for Cambridge City Council’s East Area Committee meeting next week (Thursday, December 2), cycle theft is currently below pre-pandemic levels.
The paper said reports of bike thefts in Cambridge are down 40 per cent compared to the same period two years ago, and are down by a third compared to last year.
In July to October this year, cycle theft was no longer the largest recorded crime type in Cambridge, the report said.
However, the report added in the “professional opinion” of officers, cycle theft is “probably” one of the most under reported crimes.
In the report details of what work is being done to tackle cycle theft in the city is also set out.
It states a city-wide operation targeting the organised theft of bikes began at the end of 2020, with “proactive activity” using new tactics continuing in the summer and enforcement action against identified handlers of stolen bikes also being maintained.
The report also explains a multi-agency Cambridge Cycle Crime Prevention Task and Finish group was set up in October 2020, to respond to cycle theft concerns.
The campaign launched by the task group, Save Our Cycles, which encouraged locking and registering bikes, was highlighted in the report.
In addition to this, the report said work to identify opportunities for safety and security improvements in the city's infrastructure has also been undertaken.
Officers add in the report enforcement work will continue and that they encourage cycle thefts to be reported to the force.
The report added: “The situation remains that cycle crime is still one of the most prevalent crime types in Cambridge city.
“The fact remains that the most effective means of tackling cycle theft is still good crime prevention advice.
“In other words, the use of locks and effective cycle racks to lock cycles to, and the use of national crime property databases, such as National Bike Register and Immobilise, to register bicycles.”
The report is due to be presented to councillors next week.
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