City of London bike theft faces being ‘decriminalised’ as 82.6% of thefts go unsolved

Meanwhile, only 26 bike thefts reported in the City of London last year resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed - just 10.3% of the total 253 cases recorded.

The City of London’s Liberal Democrats warned these figures showed the Government was effectively ‘decriminalising’ bike theft, letting criminals off the hook for the robbery of thousands of pounds worth of property. 

The party has accused the Conservative Government of neglecting neighbourhood policing. Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) numbers have also plummeted under the Conservative Party’s watch, with over 4,000 PCSOs being taken off the streets since 2015.

Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible and trusted, with the time to focus on tackling local crime. 

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the City of London, Edward Lucas said: 

“Theft is such a personal and terrible crime. To see so many go unsolved in the City of London is a tragedy.

“These figures show the Government is effectively decriminalising bike theft in our local communities - and ministers in Westminster seem content to let it continue.

“We need to see a return to proper community policing, making our streets safer and ending this free-for-all for criminals.”