More must be done to tackle bike thefts - cyclist

A cyclist has written to police and MPs urging more action after being left devastated by the theft of his £1,500 bike.

Phil Gallon, from Saltburn, Teesside, had been on a 3,700-mile (6,000km) trek to Turkey as he tried to cope with the death of his wife - only for the bike to be stolen when he returned to the UK while waiting for a train in Brighton.

He said he reported the theft to Sussex Police, but felt the crime report was given only cursory attention.

The BBC approached Sussex Police for comment. It had previously issued a statement which said it was conducting CCTV inquiries.

Mr Gallon, a retired firefighter, lost his wife Carla to cancer in April this year.

He said he rang the police following the theft.

"I literally had 10 minutes to get to the train, as well as the feeling of devastation and thinking 'what am I going to do?'" he said.

Within an hour, he had received a text from the force saying there was "no indication" of any CCTV footage of the theft.

The police told him they were going to "file" the case, Mr Gallon said.

"I thought, 'in an hour, have they checked this out?'

"If the police were honest and said we don't have time to investigate such crimes then OK - but it was like almost they pay lip service to it," he said.

"It shows with bike theft, you've just got to accept it, take it on the chin."

The majority of bike thefts reported to police in England and Wales over the past five years have resulted in no charge being brought.

Less than 3% of reported bike thefts since 2019 have resulted in a charge or summons, according to police figures analysed by the BBC.

The BBC has approached Sussex Police for comment.

They had previously issued a statement following the theft, which read: "Police are conducting CCTV inquiries after a bike was stolen from outside a noodle shop in Queen's Road, Brighton, at around noon on 28 November.

"The Giant Revolt bike is light green with four panniers.

"If anyone has information they should contact police online or call 101."

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