Vikki Slade MP Calls for "Operation Bike Bait"

Lib Dem MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole calls for ‘Operation Bike Bait’ as just 2.1% of all bicycle thefts solved last year 

Data from Dorset Police has revealed a bike theft epidemic in Dorset, with just 17 criminals charged or summonsed in 793 reported bike thefts last year. 

Local Liberal Democrat MP Vikki Slade has said that bicycle theft is becoming “effectively decriminalised” and is backing national calls for ‘Operation Bike Bait’, a new initiative to tackle the rise in thefts and give local police the tools they need to catch offenders. 

Dorset Police solved [charged or summoned] just 2.1% of local cycle thefts last year— a figure reflecting the intense pressure and limited resources facing police forces across the country. 

Nationally, new data from the Home Office has revealed almost two-thirds of police forces in England and Wales had more than 80% of cases go unsolved. Out of 44 forces, none solved more than 55% of recorded bike thefts. 

Adding to concerns, the British Transport Police recently confirmed that it will not investigate bike thefts from railway stations if the bicycle has been left for more than two hours — in effect, decriminalising bike theft on station property. Vikki described this policy as “troubling but reflecting the deep under funding of the police.” 

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a dedicated national unit within the National Crime Agency, dubbed Operation Bike Bait, to carry out “bike bait” operations; placing tracker-fitted bikes in theft hotspots to help police catch offenders and uncover organised criminal networks. 

The unit would also share intelligence and best practice across forces, helping to build a national picture of bike theft and strengthen local policing efforts. 

Last month, Vikki joined Dorset Police on patrol, seeing first-hand the hard work, dedication and professionalism of officers working to keep communities safe. She learned more about local police initiatives to tackle theft, including bike-marking events and encouraging cyclists to register their bikes on the National Bike Database to deter thieves and aid recovery. 

Vikki has since challenged the police over the appalling outcomes for bike theft after a resident had £12,000 of bikes stolen that were not followed up, despite evidence being passed to the police. She now plans to co-host a community bike marking event in November, supporting their ongoing prevention work. 

Vikki Slade MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said:

“Just today, I received an email from another constituent whose bike was stolen, and it’s heartbreaking to see how common these cases have become. For many people, that bike is their main way to get to work, take their children to school, or stay active.” 

“I’ve also seen first-hand that our police officers are working incredibly hard with the limited resources they have. They’re out in our communities tackling anti-social behaviour and doing their very best to keep people safe.” 

“I’m proud to call for Operation Bike Bait to give police the national tools, technology and funding they need to crack down on theft and deliver justice for victims. Government needs to step up and back the police so they can tackle this problem.”