Someone's locked their bike to mine - help!

Tea&cake

Hi. Someone's locked their bike to mine, and I'm after some advice on what I can do about it. My first thought was that they were planning to steal my bike, but it's been there for a week now - so if they were going to nick it, they would have done it by now, surely?

A few friends have suggested breaking the lock. I've asked the police if they can help - they said no (no actual crime has been committed) and even they suggested breaking the lock. But it's in a very public place - right outside Bow Street Magistrate's Court, opposite the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden - and I'm worried that I'll attract attention and then I'll get in trouble for it. Plus I'm not sure what tools I would need to use to break the lock (it's one of these, or very similar: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/abu ... k-ec007496)

Any useful suggestions or advice would be gratefully received - I want my bike back!! Thanks.

clarkey cat

(no actual crime has been committed)

phone them again and tell them that someone has "appropriated (by locking) your bike with, what would appear, an intention to permanently deprive you of it (because you can't extricate it)."

That is THEFT under s.2 of the Theft Act.

Lazy bastards.

sophidog

if your bike's more expensive than their's then bust the lock> this is a ploy used by some bike thieves who would come back much later when you've hopefully gone home out of the way. they undo their lock, cut yours and they're away with both bikes!! Chop that lock!!!

nicklouse

Lock you bike to their bike and get the police around and have proof of ownership of your bike.

jim55

these should sort it lol

nicklouse

jim55 wrote:

these should sort it lol

And you done for damaging someone elses property.

jim55

well needs must ,,if somebody has been so inconsiderate (at best )to cause me a lot of hassle ,,(and potentially b trying to steal my bike) id sort it with a clear conscience,,better chopping somebody elses lock than trying to b nice guy and end up worse off for it ,,the ops post said that hed tried to do it the right way and was getting nowhere ,,needs must in this case indeed

Tea&cake

Cheers. I'm probably going to try breaking the lock. It's been a week. That's a whole week of hassle and paying for tube fares and stress I really didn't need. I might have been more understanding of the other bike owner earlier in the week, but not now. I just want my bike back, by whatever means necessary.

Tea&cake

p.s. The police round here don't care even if a bike has actually been stolen, so it was no great surprise when they weren't interested in helping me get mine back.

rolf_f

Tea&cake wrote:

Cheers. I'm probably going to try breaking the lock. It's been a week. That's a whole week of hassle and paying for tube fares and stress I really didn't need. I might have been more understanding of the other bike owner earlier in the week, but not now. I just want my bike back, by whatever means necessary.

I doubt anyone can complain if you take the other bike to the Police station (so that that doesn't get nicked). I think you've been insanely patient!

gezebo

I can't believe you waited a week! Are you going to service their bike too?!

Tea&cake

yep, I know - I'm too patient (and too nice!) generally. Plus where it's locked up is nowhere near my house or my work. I'm going to liberate it this weekend, when I have some time...I should have done it last weekend, but I honestly thought they would come to get their bike back.

The Rookie

Breaking or cutting the lock would not be criminal damge, you have a right to your property and the lock is depriving you of the right, so removing it is not a criminal act.

Simon

CiB

If you wish to cover your backside smash the lock off to liberate your own bike but replace it with a cheap lock to prevent that bike being nicked, with a note to the effect that the key is with PC Plod and can be claimed on proof of ownership of the bike. TBH though it's not your problem; I can't imagine waiting a week to get my kit back. Each to their own.

jim55

yeah ,,as said ,,just cut it off ,,bolt cutters will make easy work of that i think,,20£ or so from any tool shop

Tea&cake

I just had a phone call from the owner of the bike (I left my number on a note on the bike). She'd been on holiday and obviously didn't know she'd locked her bike to mine. This means I don't have to resort to lock breaking, I get my bike back and she'd going to pay me back for my travel costs for the past week.

leodis75

Great news, bit strange though you just randomly lock your bike in the middle of town and bugger off on holiday.. Very strange.

You should add hotel costs on there as well as hookers, hired to look after your bike!!

hstiles

Tea&cake wrote:

I just had a phone call from the owner of the bike (I left my number on a note on the bike). She'd been on holiday and obviously didn't know she'd locked her bike to mine. This means I don't have to resort to lock breaking, I get my bike back and she'd going to pay me back for my travel costs for the past week.

I'd be genuinely intrigued to know whether she does pony up for your travel expenses.

bails87

Maybe she likes the OP and wanted to introduce herself....

"Oh, I haven't got any cash with me, but why don't you let me buy you dinner instead?"

Joffff

bails87 wrote:

Maybe she likes the OP and wanted to introduce herself....

This crossed my mind too...

bails87

Probably not the best first impression to make though!

Tea&cake

Yes she did cough up for my travel expenses. We met by the bikes and she handed over the money, and I got my bike back. She said she'd had to go away unexpectedly, which explained why the bike had been there for a week, but not why she'd locked it there in the first place. I didn't ask too many questions - I was just glad to have my bike and the money.

Joffff

Tea&cake wrote:

Yes she did cough up for my travel expenses. We met by the bikes and she handed over the money, and I got my bike back. She said she'd had to go away unexpectedly, which explained why the bike had been there for a week, but not why she'd locked it there in the first place. I didn't ask too many questions - I was just glad to have my bike and the money.

At the risk of lowering the tone... would you? :roll:

Tea&cake

Well, no...being a (straight) woman myself

dodgerdog

So she wasn't the exception to your rule then

gezebo

Tea&cake wrote:

Well, no...being a (straight) woman myself

Suddenly it all makes sense. I'm sure if either party was a man this would never have happened/gone on so long!! Haha

Joffff

Tea&cake wrote:

Well, no...being a (straight) woman myself

Oops, I walked into that one! Sorry - although I suppose it's still a compliment if she'd invited you for a drink :shock:

walkingbootweather

The Beginner wrote:

Breaking or cutting the lock would not be criminal damge, you have a right to your property and the lock is depriving you of the right, so removing it is not a criminal act.

Simon

Does that mean you can legally remove a car clamp too?

gezebo

walkingbootweather wrote:

The Beginner wrote:

Breaking or cutting the lock would not be criminal damge, you have a right to your property and the lock is depriving you of the right, so removing it is not a criminal act.

Simon

Does that mean you can legally remove a car clamp too?

Lol. No, its a little bit different!

The Rookie

Yes and no, if it's a council clamp or from other official body (like DVLA) no (you can't remove by any means at all - legally), if it is a private clamp and you have a 'reasonably held belief' the clamping is unlawful then yes cutting it off wouldn't be criminal damage, if it is a private clamp and you can remove it without casuing damage (pick lock, dismantle suspension etc) then again, totally lawful.

Simon

bails87

When I was at uni I saw a wheel, still inside a clamp, left outside the accomodation offices with a note saying "Better luck next time HA HA HA".

I would have thought the fine would be cheaper than a replacement tyre and wheel, but obviously not.