Richmond residents continue to battle bicycle theft despite a 10 per cent national decrease in reports, with victims describing thieves as "brazen".

Data from CrimeRate shows that while England and Wales recorded 49,519 bicycle theft reports in 2025, down from 55,323 in 2024, Richmond cyclists remain vulnerable in London where some boroughs experience theft rates up to 7 times higher than the safest areas.

The national bicycle theft rate fell from 0.79 per 1,000 people in 2024 to 0.73 in 2025; significant regional variations leave cyclists in certain areas at substantially higher risk.

Mary Chadwick, 43, became victim to bike theft two years ago outside Waitrose in Richmond. After leaving her spin class, she witnessed a thief sitting on her bike.

She said: "I was about one metre away from him and I let him slowly ride off. I still feel like I should have stopped him."

Her partner, a police officer, assured her she made the right decision as the thief could have been armed with whatever tool he used to cut through her lock.

Chadwick had competed in several triathlons on the female-specific, made-to-measure bicycle that was approximately 10 years old.

She said: "I still feel like I'm missing a limb

"It has totally changed my feelings towards leaving a bike of any value around. Even if you have the best locks, parts of bikes are sawn off. So no, I don't feel free to cycle around to do errands."

Chadwick reported the theft to police. However, CCTV footage from outside Waitrose did not capture the bike area, leaving no leads to pursue.

Mary Chadwick had her bike stolen two years ago outside Waitrose in Richmond (credit: Mary Chadwick).

The incident has had lasting consequences beyond the immediate £1,000 value of the bike.

Chadwick suffers from arthritis in her hip and toe, making cycling her preferred alternative to walking during flare-ups.

Hackney tops the list at 3.78 thefts per 1,000 daytime population, making it more than 14 times riskier than Bexley, London's safest borough at 0.26 per 1,000 people.

Islington follows as the second most dangerous London borough with a rate of 2.58, while Norwich ranks third nationally at 2.42 per 1,000 population.

The data shows Richmond sits in a relatively safer position compared to inner London boroughs, but this perhaps provides little comfort to victims of bike theft.

Richmond ranks 11th nationally for bicycle theft with a rate of 1.95 per 1,000 daytime population, making it the 6th highest among London boroughs, safer than London hotspots like Hackney and Islington.

Adam Orriss, 53, spoke of the persistence of bike thieves over a brutal four-day period last Christmas. Thieves initially stole two bikes from his motorhome by bending the aluminium rack.

A neighbour found the bikes dumped in nearby woods, allowing Orriss to recover them.

He said: "On Boxing Day they broke into my bike shed, which was parked right next to where the motor home was."

Police attended and arrested a 15-year-old suspect.

Orriss said: "Even though one of them had been arrested, they came again on the 30th of December, at midnight, and tried breaking into the shed"

Police responded but made no arrests during the third attempt. The arrested youth received a community discharge.

Orriss said: "The scumbag that the police caught got a youth community discharge, so basically, got away with it. The deterrent there, as I'm sure you can imagine, is absolutely zero."

The repeated targeting after arrest particularly frustrated Orriss.

He said: "The fact that one of them had been caught and they came back again tells you all you need to know. These thieves are just absolutely brazen. They walk up right outside, almost outside police stations, scouting for bikes."

The incidents cost Orriss significant money in replacement and additional security measures, while causing substantial inconvenience.

Sarah Love, 34, has had three bikes stolen during her 10 years living in London.

Her first bike, a second-hand gift worth approximately £250 new, was stolen from outside her Moorgate gym within three months of ownership in 2017.

She was particularly upset about losing the £60 gel seat she had purchased separately.

She said: "The second was not long after, again a second-hand gift from a friend as they moved away, also stolen within a few months of ownership."

Both thefts occurred in Hoxton. Love never reported the thefts given the low value of her bikes and stories from friends about police inaction.

The experience changed her approach to cycling.

She said: "Therefore, I never dared spend much money on a bike."

Her current bicycle cost £180 new and is a single-gear model she can afford to replace.

She has adopted defensive strategies to make the bike less attractive to thieves.

She said: "It quickly became rusty and I haphazardly tape a plastic bag over the seat not only to keep the rain off, but also to make it look not worth stealing."

However, the cheap bike comes with consequences.

She said: "I'm still willing to cycle in the area, but I refused to invest in a good bike and have not invested in any valuable accessories. My cheap bike comes with a very uncomfortable seat and has damaged my coccyx."

She now spends more on locks than on bike quality, purchasing two heavy-duty chainmail locks instead of travel-friendly alternatives.

Bexley is recorded as England and Wales's lowest rate at 0.26 per 1,000 people.

Harrow and Plymouth tied for second safest, both recording rates of 0.36 per 1,000 daytime population.

While national figures show improvement, individual cyclists continue facing a crime that removes not just a mode of transport, but health benefits, along with a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

READ MORE: Richmond Council responds to bike theft concerns with new security measures.

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