A spate of cycle thefts have taken place in a group of bike sheds on a new Cambridge development that all have a rather unfortunate design.
The ventilation holes in the brick wall are big enough for any would-be thief to put an arm through and open the door from the inside.
Ironically, the thefts happened on a development that has a Secured By Design certificate from police to show that it has been built to prevent crime.
Anti-bike crime campaigner James Hems went to check out the scene in Hobson Road, Great Kneighton, after a neighbour said he had spotted doors to the buildings swinging open early in the morning on the weekend of February 27. And what he found left him with his “head in hands”, he says.
Mr Hems, a member of the Stolen Bikes in Cambridge action group on Facebook, said: “I saw on our neighbourhood WhatsApp group that someone was coming back from their night shift at Addenbrooke’s when they noticed that a lot of bike store doors were open. And although their bike hadn’t been stolen, they raised the alarm and soon other people started finding out their bikes had gone.
“To our knowledge, nine of the bike stores were broken into and six bikes were stolen. And there could be other people that aren’t aware of the Facebook group who may have reported thefts. For each group of apartments there is at least one of these units.
“When I got there I couldn’t believe what I was seeing – these storage units are unbelievably easy to break into. There are gaps between bricks for ventilation through which you can easily put in an arm and reach the catch inside the door and unlock it.
“They just took the most valuable ones – people have lost thousands of pounds worth of bikes.
“It’s obvious that these storage areas are not fit for purpose.”
Resident James Williams had his bike stolen from the store.
He said: “It’s a real shame because I built the bike myself but I’m hoping the insurance will cover it.
“I think the ease with which the thieves were able to break in surprised everyone. Previously in 2019 I had a bike stolen from the bike store but on that occasion even the thieves did not spot that particular security flaw. They had broken the lock so a new sturdier lock was put in its place.
“I have lived there for three years, going in and out of that door every day, and hadn’t put two and two together. I feel like a bit of an idiot for not seeing it but I’m blind to those kinds of things I suppose.
“I don’t know whether it was designed that way or a failure of implementation when it was built.”
Another resident who had his bike stolen said it was the tenth that had been stolen from him since living in Cambridge.
“I used to report them stolen to the police but they didn’t do anything,” he said. “I’ve lost more than £10,000 on replacing my stolen bikes. Most were taken from here but some were stolen at Cambridge station and one was stolen in the city centre.
“We actually put mesh across the ventilation holes in our bike store a while ago, but that didn’t stop the thieves. They just smashed off the lock. I’ve completely lost all faith now in having a bike in Cambridge – I’m just going to get a car and clog up the city again.
Cycling in Cambridge is lovely – but you just can’t own a bike here.”
Mr Hems has raised the issue with city councillor Katie Thornburrow at a south area committee this week. She promised to meet with developer Countryside to ask how it will rectify the situation.
A spokesperson for Countryside Properties said: “We are aware of the recent bicycle thefts from bicycle storage units on Hobson Road. This has been reported to the police. We are monitoring the situation and working to ensure the security of the units.”
Cllr Thornburrow said: “These stores are not secure, they are not fit for purpose. It’s very fundamental – you shouldn’t leave an opening that someone can reach into and turn the door handle. I’ve been in contact with the Countryside and I’m hoping to meet with them next week.”
She is hoping to find a security solution for residents who feel they have no other option but to keep their bikes inside their flats.
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