Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Bike thieves....
Hi - I've had a couple of bikes stolen from a green bike store in my front garden on Warham Road. The police have been pretty good and attentive, but as there were no witnesses (they were taken in the dead of night) or forensics there's not a lot they can go on.
They have however told me that there have been at least three other similar thefts from people with exactly the same green bike store outside their house as the one I have in this area, so they're clearly being targetted.. it's one of these...
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18775/Outdoor-Buildings/Metal-Sheds-G...
Mine had four big padlocks on the outside, and the two bikes were locked together and to the inside of the store - but they still managed to get everything, so is clearly professionals with some heavy duty cutting equipment.
So - beware, the SNT have dropped leaflets through the doors of people who own these things warning them about the thefts. Thought it might be useful for others to be aware too..
Cheers, and happy cycling (for those who still can, sniff sniff)
They have however told me that there have been at least three other similar thefts from people with exactly the same green bike store outside their house as the one I have in this area, so they're clearly being targetted.. it's one of these...
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18775/Outdoor-Buildings/Metal-Sheds-G...
Mine had four big padlocks on the outside, and the two bikes were locked together and to the inside of the store - but they still managed to get everything, so is clearly professionals with some heavy duty cutting equipment.
So - beware, the SNT have dropped leaflets through the doors of people who own these things warning them about the thefts. Thought it might be useful for others to be aware too..
Cheers, and happy cycling (for those who still can, sniff sniff)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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You mean like this?
1. Don't use the padlocks that you got with the shed, notice that one key unlocks them all?
2. Mine is "low profile", I had it dug out a bit before a concrete floor with Sheffield stand was put it. It is also bolted to said concrete.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Harvey on
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Yep - mine's exactly like this, also bolted to the concrete underneath...
I did have the two 'come with' padlocks but also two other more expensive ones.. obviously not strong enough...
I think I'll get myself something else in there which I can bolt to the concrete and secure bikes to aswell. to be on the safeside when new bikes arrive.. thank god for insurance!
Hopefully they'll leave yours alone....
Still love my shed though
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Well I think it's the fact that mine was dug into the ground to keep the same profile as the rubbish bin shed in the next garden that has saved it then. Many years ago when I was planning it a work colleague from "Up North" told me I was mad, "someone'll see it and feel that they have to nick your bike because you're being so cheeky leaving it out the front of your house" (something like that anyway).
So, did they pick your padlocks or actually cut through them?
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Hi - no, nothing as subtle as picking locks, just sliced straight through them with cutters. The police forensics people took them away, guy said he was building up quite a collection!
This article is quite enlightening...http://quickrelease.tv/?p=327
They didn't try to get through the D-lock etc that was on the inside, just lifted both bikes out together and had them away, assume they take them somewhere quiet and take an angle grinder to those..
Is funny when I see lots of bikes around here just chained up in front gardens etc... nobody bothers with those - is probably a case of people seeing these sheds and knowing there must be something worth nicking locked away inside... red rag to a bull etc..
Still - part of me is looking forward to brand new bikes...... the others were due a good clean..
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True - does make me worry about putting two shiny new bikes back in the firing line.
I'm going to try and source some theft proof padlocks.... probably quite expensive I imagine.
Can anyone recommend a suitable padlock that will resist the most determined thief? They clearly use very heavy duty bolt cutters so would need to be able to withstand that...
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by sara wajid on
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sorry bout your bike. mine went from the front of the house recently - am coveting shed now but meanwhile using 2 locks for new bike. In the london paper today there was a 2 page spread on bike theft and a box on best locks by writer from cycle plus mag. can't see it online - briefly here's the tips
Kryptonite New York Standard £64.99, Abus Granit X-plus £64.99 and Pragmasis Protector Chains £79.99. Good luck keeping your new bike secure.
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Well I've got both the shed AND the Sheffield stand.
One more thing, I only use ONE padlock and it's on the side closest to the house where it's a struggle to get in and open it so perhaps they just can't get their bolt cutters in there.
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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How gutting, really sorry to hear this. I've been very envious of these stores, so useful to know about this.
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Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on
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Ah, straight from the cinema of neo-realism: 'Ladri di Biciclette'. Good luck!
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Yes oae how is he now going to deliver the letters now ?
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Paul,
My sincere commiserations on your loss. I am a little surprised no-one heard the noise of someone using a heavy bolt cutter on the external padlocks, to say nothing of further noises caused once they got inside the shed. But perhaps you sleep at the back of the house?
It occurs to me that when I open my fridge door a very small micro-switch closes and a light comes on. Could you not fit a similar switch on the inside of the shed door which, when actuated, both rings a bell in the house AND in the shed. It could also, if you wished, switch on a security light fitted beneath the guttering and focused on the shed.
The idea is that surely a combination of a ringing bell and a floodlight would persuade them not to hang about long enough to tackle the inside of the shed as well as the outside?
If the shed is lean-to to the house, the wiring could pass straight through the house wall from inside the shed, thus being completely concealed. If the shed is not lean-to, then bury the cable in its passage to the house, or put it in heavy steel conduit. If you've paid over £500 for the shed (not to mention the insurance premium) then the extra outlay might be worth it?
Best wishes,
Arthur Astrop
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