Lib Dem MPs call for ‘Operation Bike Bait’ as just 17.3% of all bicycle thefts solved last year

Shocking data from the Home Office has revealed a bike theft epidemic in Greater Manchester, with just 49 criminals charged or summonsed in 2,436 bike theft cases. Local Liberal Democrat MPs Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison said that bicycle theft is effectively ‘decriminalised’, and backed calls for an ‘Operation Bike Bait’ to tackle the offence. 

The MPs castigated recent figures by the Home Office showing the “disastrous” local police record on solving bike theft.

The Liberal Democrats have called for a dedicated national unit – ‘Operation Bike Bait’ – in the National Crime Agency that carries out “bike bait” operations to tackle the ongoing theft epidemic.

The unit would work with local police forces, including in Stockport, to carry out targeted operations, planting bikes fitted with trackers in theft hotspots so officers can catch offenders and uncover wider criminal networks.

It would also coordinate the collection and sharing of intelligence and best practice across forces, helping to build a national picture of bike theft and improve the policing response. 

Tom Morrison, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, said: “Across Stockport, local people are furious about the effective decriminalisation of bike theft in our community. Hundreds are denied the justice they deserve after their property is stolen, letting criminals get away scot free. Our police do fantastic work in our community, but they need support and resource.”

Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove, added: “This is something that we have heard back from residents about so much. Unfortunately, there are locations where many people do not feel safe out on their bikes, whether that’s theft or the threatening behaviour of others. Having spoken to Tom, I know the impact it is having across the whole area.

“Given the ongoing cost of living crisis, many simply can’t afford to replace property that should rightfully be returned to them. This is leaving families unable to go out together, cutting people’s opportunities to exercise – and it’s just plain wrong. 

“I’m backing the calls for an ‘Operation Bike Bait’ to tackle this bike theft epidemic once and for all.”