Publishing an optimistic update to the bike theft picture in Winchester was probably tempting fate…
Shortly after the update was posted we were contacted by two people who had their e-bikes stolen from the “secure” compound at the railway station. The thefts occurred within a couple of weeks of each other.
In both cases the riders had recently acquired access tokens to the secure compound; one rider was advised that the secure compound was the best place to leave a bike. One theft occurred during the day the other over night. Both bikes were relatively new; one secured with a chain the other with a cable lock. In both cases the locks were probably cut with a bolt cutter. Neither bike was insured.
So what do we (re)learn? The secure compound isn’t particularly secure. Irrespective of where you leave a bike it is important to use a decent lock as a deterrent. E-bikes are being targeted due to popularity and their value.
Alongside this news, the BBC reported that, as we suspected, the British Transport Police will not normally review their own CCTV footage if you leave a bike at the station for more than 2 hours…. This is reported as BTP policy. A “clarification” was issued by BTP which more or less confirmed what the BBC reported.
We have argued that if reviewing more than 2 hours of CCTV is too labour intensive then the wrong review method is being used. With a different approach almost any length of CCTV can be checked within a couple of minutes. It feels like a bit of an anomaly that BTP are responsible for the security of station (bike) parking rather than the local police; these crimes are most likely providing income for Winchester criminals.
We have had several failed attempts to change the access system to the secure compound; there have been vague promises from SWR that something is in hand to address this issue across the network. As with the issue of the ongoing fenced off bike parking under the trees the years go by with little visible progress.
There are existing, modern, access systems which could be deployed quickly if there was the will to do so.
Our advice
- Wherever you leave your bike a good lock increases the effort needed to steal it. Cable locks are cut in seconds.
- E-bikes are being targeted generally, not just at the station.
- The secure compound at the station provides limited protection.
- Don’t rely on CCTV to protect your bike – parking somewhere with natural surveillance maybe better; in particular don’t expect BTP to review recordings even if they have them. The presence of CCTV has a limited impact on crime rates (except in car parks).
- Continue to report thefts.
- Consider registering your bike.
There’s a bike security marking event taking place at Exo bike hub, Middle Brook Street, this Sunday November 30th from 10:00 to 12:00.