What would you do if you thought a bike was being stolen before your very eyes?

[lulubel]

I voted "not sure" because it would depend on the circumstances, and whether I felt I could be putting myself at risk if I approached them. I wouldn't risk my own safety to try and stop someone's bike being stolen, but I wouldn't just stand by if I thought I could approach them safely.

 

[apollo179]

Think its the only way to deal with the scumbags, only language they understand.

Id personally not be inclined to offer such a serious ultimatum over a stolen bike cos you could paint yourself into a corner where you either have to back down or actually cut your mans hands off and post them and personally i woudnt regard it as quite worth it over a bike, something else maybe but not a bike. Anyway glad it worked for you and as you say you were clearly negotiating with them in a language they understood.

 

[PoliceMadAd]

I chose phone the police, and would attempt to do what the two lads from the earlier post did. Follow on foot or bicycle maybe. Or get someone else to phone the police and give a desc and direction/area. I'd definetly be happy to follow, but doubt i'd confront, unless i had a friend with and maybe stood a chance.

 

[Cyclopathic]

This question is a bit close to home.

I actually saw someone nicking off with my own bike. I didn't fancy my chances in a fight with the thief, and was too stunned to think of any cunning distractions, so just got a good description and called the police.

The officer said I'd done the right thing ('It's not worth getting stabbed over a £200 bike') but the feeling of cowardice lingers.

Don't let it. We don't know how we are going to react to something until it happens. It sounds like you assesed the situation and judged that this guy represented a physical danger to you and you took exactly the right action in the circumstances. You no doubt have people in your life who care about you and want and need you to be safe and well and your decision has made sure that will be the case for a while longer. Hindsight is all well and good but you had to make a quick decision and as a result you are fine and well if a little out of pocket.

Apart from the expense at a time when money is semmingly hard for everyone look at it from the point of view of being able to start hunting for a new bike.

 

[Hip Priest]

Don't let it. We don't know how we are going to react to something until it happens. It sounds like you assesed the situation and judged that this guy represented a physical danger to you and you took exactly the right action in the circumstances. You no doubt have people in your life who care about you and want and need you to be safe and well and your decision has made sure that will be the case for a while longer. Hindsight is all well and good but you had to make a quick decision and as a result you are fine and well if a little out of pocket.

Apart from the expense at a time when money is semmingly hard for everyone look at it from the point of view of being able to start hunting for a new bike.

Thanks man.

A couple of days ago a woman on my estate bravely disturbed four youths who were vandalising a car. She ended up getting her face slashed and being hospitalised. Terrible really, and a reminder of what can happen.

On the plus side, the police caught those responsible and the oldest has been charged (the others were all under 18).

 

[apollo179]

Thanks man.

A couple of days ago a woman on my estate bravely disturbed four youths who were vandalising a car. She ended up getting her face slashed and being hospitalised. Terrible really, and a reminder of what can happen.

On the plus side, the police caught those responsible and the oldest has been charged (the others were all under 18).

My experience is that criminals carry weapons for self defence - if you attack or surprise a criminal then theres a chance you might get hurt. If you adopt a defensive strategy and give the individual an easy exit strategy in the vast majority of cases they will just run off. Obviously you cant make predictions if the subject is completely mental but most criminals arnt.

 

[Cubist]

My experience is that criminals carry weapons for self defence - if you attack or surprise a criminal then theres a chance you might get hurt. If you adopt a defensive strategy and give the individual an easy exit strategy in the vast majority of cases they will just run off. Obviously you cant make predictions if the subject is completely mental but most criminals arnt.

What is your "experience" with criminals?

 

[CopperCyclist]

My experience is that criminals carry weapons for self defence - if you attack or surprise a criminal then theres a chance you might get hurt. If you adopt a defensive strategy and give the individual an easy exit strategy in the vast majority of cases they will just run off. Obviously you cant make predictions if the subject is completely mental but most criminals arnt.

Actually very accurate from my experience too, although in my experience it's not an 'exit strategy', more a realisation they've been caught. I've arrested more than a few people with knives, and can only currently recall two of them that actually made any attempt to use it against me.

 

[Cubist]

Apparently I'm the only one on the thread to vote for challenging the "thief" to prove ownership.

 

[Cubist]

Actually very accurate from my experience too, although in my experience it's not an 'exit strategy', more a realisation they've been caught. I've arrested more than a few people with knives, and can only currently recall two of them that actually made any attempt to use it against me.

Where do you work Coppercyclist?

 

[DonnyDarko]

I'd claim the bike was my own and see how they react I think. I've answered call the police though as if I knew for a fact they were a thief I would.

But if the person did turn out to be the owner surely they'd kick up a bit of a stink as if you yourself were the thief trying something on. In which case I'd say 'it's alright mate I thought you were trying to nick that for a moment then'. If it was a thief I'd assume they'd leg it at this point or come at me. Not sure what I'd do if it's the latter but hopefully I'd be on my bike and I'd give it beans.

 

[apollo179]

Actually very accurate from my experience too, although in my experience it's not an 'exit strategy', more a realisation they've been caught. I've arrested more than a few people with knives, and can only currently recall two of them that actually made any attempt to use it against me.

Your obviously interested in capturing the individual rather than offering him an exit strategy. You would also approach the subject in an authoritive manner that kindof takes control and largely makes the subjects mind up for him that its probably time to put your hands up. A member of the public would act different from a policeman and the criminal would react differently to a member of the public than a policeman and its there that the potential for violence lies. A criminal obviously dosnt want to get captured by the police but he knows the score and how hes going to be treated well on arrest so it a known quantity. Dealing with a member of the public is another matter altogether , the member of the public might be going to do violence to him etc etc , completely different scenario.
In alot of ways police are less likely to get harmed than a member of the public who intervenes. imho.