Around 430,000 bikes are stolen in Britain each year

AndyManc

Around 430,000 bikes are stolen in Britain each year ( at least I reckon).


I live near here :roll:


http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1101520_pc_steves_got_cycle_of_crime_beat



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laughingboy

Great story.

I reckon it's all a cover that PC Cheminant had to think up on the spot when someone found 10 bikes in his garage.

More seriously, this man is a modern day hero. I wish there were a simple answer to bike theft, but I suspect that the real answer is too complex to tackle. I guess it is bound up in social inequality, status symbols/bling, the usual drugs-crime axis, and the fact that certain buyers will always be tempted by a cheap bike, even if it comes from a dodgy source.

Does anyone have any other rays of hope? Any examples of bike theft actually being reduced by, say, a council taking practical measures?

laughingboy

Oh, and bravo to the punster who posted this on the original website:

"Well done to this policeman I think we should all “Raleigh” around and give him a round of applause
Tezza, Tyldesley" :roll:

AndyManc

laughingboy wrote:

Great story.

I reckon it's all a cover that PC Cheminant had to think up on the spot when someone found 10 bikes in his garage.

More seriously, this man is a modern day hero. I wish there were a simple answer to bike theft, but I suspect that the real answer is too complex to tackle. I guess it is bound up in social inequality, status symbols/bling, the usual drugs-crime axis, and the fact that certain buyers will always be tempted by a cheap bike, even if it comes from a dodgy source.

Does anyone have any other rays of hope? Any examples of bike theft actually being reduced by, say, a council taking practical measures?

It doesn't say if he's a bike cop.

I might have a ride around in my hoodie and on the pavement and see if he stops me ..... only to reveal an big red "This is Your Life ' book .



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AndyOgy

I think it really says something about modern society when a policeman does the job that he's supposed to do, and it makes the news!
Tomorrow - a story about a baker, who bakes bread.
But fair play to that individual policeman. If only he were representative of the entire force.

laughingboy

AndyOgy wrote:

I think it really says something about modern society when a policeman does the job that he's supposed to do, and it makes the news!
Tomorrow - a story about a baker, who bakes bread.
But fair play to that individual policeman. If only he were representative of the entire force.

I'm not sure I agree. Isn't the story about someone who not only does their job, but does it extremely well? And the story in question tells us the knock-on effects of someone doing their job well. Good for him, good for everyone. Which makes it a hell of a lot better than most 'news' stories.

Isn't it healthy to recognise others' achievements, even if they are paid to achieve them?

If you accept that it is OK to celebrate Chris Hoy/Lewis Hamilton/Michael Caine/(insert name you approve of) for doing their jobs supremely well - why not extend the principle?

AndyOgy

laughingboy wrote:

AndyOgy wrote:

I think it really says something about modern society when a policeman does the job that he's supposed to do, and it makes the news!
Tomorrow - a story about a baker, who bakes bread.
But fair play to that individual policeman. If only he were representative of the entire force.

I'm not sure I agree. Isn't the story about someone who not only does their job, but does it extremely well? And the story in question tells us the knock-on effects of someone doing their job well. Good for him, good for everyone. Which makes it a hell of a lot better than most 'news' stories.

Isn't it healthy to recognise others' achievements, even if they are paid to achieve them?

If you accept that it is OK to celebrate Chris Hoy/Lewis Hamilton/Michael Caine/(insert name you approve of) for doing their jobs supremely well - why not extend the principle?

I was quite complementary to that policeman. It's just that the police, on the whole, arent very good at returning bikes to their owners. But the policeman in that story is one to whom I offer praise and congratulations. Like I said before, if only he were representative of the police in general.

laughingboy

Sorry, didn't mean to come over too critical. Nothing you said was stupid, and you were indeed complimentary to the copper.

I was just prompted into a little excursion by the 'what does this say about society" angle. I think it says a lot of good stuff. But I'm a bit of an idealist at times (when I'm not being a cynic ) .

AndyManc

Wonder if he carries a scanner around with him for chipped bikes :roll: