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Violent Bike Theft in Putney - today’s Times

“Two people in balaclavas arrived on a moped on a street in Putney and pulled an £8,000 locked bike belonging to JAKROO Handsling Racing from the roof of a parked car.  One of them jumped on top of the car to remove the bike, leaving large dents in the vehicle and cracking the windscreen.  When confronted by a member of the team, one of the robbers brandished a “big machete” and threatened them before riding away with one of the bikes.” Full story in The Times today.

Martine Guy ● 3d19 Comments

You state “ Perhaps some people just don't like Khan because he's not a white Christian?” Really????I object to Khan because he is a useless opinionated politician who is totally hypocritical.  Nothing to do with race or creed.Khan is in charge of policing London we all know his well that’s going given how unsafe people feel.  Also how unsafe many police feel.

Robert Wheeler ● 1d

Really can't blame it all on Khan. Johnson started the cuts in the police in London ...https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/feb/03/boris-cuts-police-londonPerhaps some people just don't like Khan because he's not a white Christian?

Michael Ixer ● 1d

Hard to see how Sir Sadiq gets the blame for this one. We live in a society with a high level of income disparity. The racing team got unlucky here as the article clearly states they were on their way to an event but I take the earlier point that conspicuous displays of wealth to mean you are more likely to be a victim of crime.

Peter Higgins ● 1d

"Faced with a Machete and violence is not mentioned in your AI piece."Fair enough:-"A theft involving the threat of violence—often classified as robbery or aggravated burglary—typically changes an insurance claim from a standard theft case to a more serious event, frequently resulting in a faster processing time and higher emotional distress coverage. Such claims are almost always covered under standard comprehensive home or business policies because the threat of violence provides clear evidence of a forced or "forced and violent" event." (AI)"The fact is London is increasingly unsafe thanks to Khan."Oh, I see where we are going.

David Ainsworth ● 1d

Faced with a Machete and violence is not mentioned in your AI piece.  The fact is London is increasingly unsafe thanks to Khan.

Robert Wheeler ● 1d

"Insurers generally view putting very valuable bikes on a roof rack as a significant increase in risk. While most will allow it, they impose strict conditions regarding vehicle modifications and specific locking standards to maintain valid cover. Key Insurance Requirements:-Declare the Rack as a Modification: Many car insurers classify roof racks and bike carriers as vehicle modifications. Failing to declare them can void your entire car insurance policy.Specific Locking Standards: For high-value bikes, insurers typically require the bike to be secured through the frame to the rack using a Sold Secure Gold or Diamond rated lock."Immovable Object" Status: Some specialist insurers only consider a bike on a rack "secure" if the rack itself is locked to the vehicle and the bike is separately locked to the rack.Time Limits: Coverage for bikes on racks is often limited to a specific timeframe, such as 24 hours, and may exclude overnight storage in certain locations. Common Exclusions and Risks:-Theft from Unattended Vehicles: Standard car insurance rarely covers the full value of a high-end bike if it is stolen from a rack. You often need a specialist cycle policy or a high-limit personal possessions add-on for home insurance.Installation Errors: Claims may be denied if the insurer determines the rack was not installed according to manufacturer recommendations or if the load exceeded weight limits.Impact on Handling: Insurers note that roof racks change a vehicle's weight distribution and handling, which they factor into your risk profile."Anyway this is a matter between the owners and the insurers, and we will not know. I expect that most of us have had to face some form of loss assessment in our lives.

David Ainsworth ● 1d

My understanding from the report is that the bikes were locked and the toe rags had to use a bolt cutter and machete.  Surely in that instance you can’t still blame the victim.

Robert Wheeler ● 1d

So insurance adjusters are just "blaming the victim".

David Ainsworth ● 1d

That comment is ridiculous, let’s just blame the victim of crime not remove the toe rags who commit it.  Cars are now worth far in excess of the value of bikes and left in quiet residential streets but get stolen.Let’s crack down on the criminals not the victims.  Khan has lost any respect as a politician.

Robert Wheeler ● 1d

Agree.By the way, "While there is every good reason for a professional racing team to have very expensive bikes", I would suggest that having £16k worth of bikes in the open on top of a vehicle in a quiet-looking street is not very safe.

David Ainsworth ● 1d

While there is every good reason for a professional racing team to have very expensive bikes, there does seem to be a large number of men in the Putney area who are spending thousands on machines they will never use the full potential of. To be fair, if these need for speed is part of a mid-life crisis, its a lot better than them getting a motor-bike or sports car. Crime is bad and we shouldn't tolerate theft but when I see people self-consciously parading bikes costing more than some people pay for their car on local streets, if they were to be robbed, I'd put them somewhere along with Rolex owners on my ranking of how much I feel sympathy with a victim.

Barry Elms ● 2d

"there are lots of people who own very expensive bikes particularly to ride through Richmond Park."Why on earth? Really?I realised that cycling was going adrift in the '70s when I saw Titanium cranks at £70 (equals £476 today). And the Star Wars helmets didn't improve my opinions.

David Ainsworth ● 2d

A friend who lives locally says that high price bike theft has been a bit of a cottage industry in the area for quite a few years. Like him there are lots of people who own very expensive bikes particularly to ride through Richmond Park. The thieves have developed an expertise in the price of bikes and have a ready market. With the caveat that they are scumbags he says he has some admiration for the thieves and their business model and they are not as bad as people who are buying these bikes knowing very well that they are stolen.

Peter Higgins ● 2d

Also reported that the police know the toe rags involved! So, what are they doing about it? The amount of guys flying around Putney on illegal electric bikes, with balaclavas, often in gangs, with no lights at night, on the pavements or pathways, basically doing whatever the hell they like and clearly up to no good etc etc and the police seem to be completely passive, spineless and disinterested! What is going on? Why aren’t these thugs being stopped, searched, bikes confiscated and possibly charged?

Gerry Boyce ● 3d

Also reported on MailOnline and Putney News.com.

Martine Guy ● 3d

This was a brazen incident in broad daylight, like the one in Chelverton Rd.

Martine Guy ● 3d

Martine just read on Next Door said £8000 bike stolen from Putney.

Barbara Stevens ● 3d

This happened in Chelverton last year, one of the builders working on the burnt house had his bike stolen while he was working. A person took pictures of them going down the road with it. One man was on a cycle pulling the motor bike with person on it.  It's frightening.

Barbara Stevens ● 3d

Sorry should have said the robbery was last Friday afternoon.

Martine Guy ● 3d