LONDON, ENGLAND – The Liberal Democrats have sounded the alarm on the rising number of unsolved bike thefts in the UK. According to the party, more than 365,000 cases have gone unsolved over the last five years, effectively leading to the decriminalization of bike theft.
Official crime data revealed that an average of 200 bicycle thefts a day took place, with no culprit being apprehended. This staggering number amounted to 89% of all bike thefts in the last five years, leaving only 2% of cases resulting in a suspect being charged.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a return to “proper community policing,” emphasizing the need for visible police presence in neighborhoods to focus on solving local crimes like bike theft. Alistair Carmichael MP, the party’s home affairs spokesman, expressed concern over the neglect and lack of resources for frontline police officers to adequately investigate these crimes.
Last week, police revealed that they have been closing inquiries into four crimes every minute without tracking down the culprits. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of the multi-billion-pound investments made in policing by the government.
The Home Office’s “police uplift” program aims to address these concerns by increasing the number of officers in England and Wales. However, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative government remain at odds, with the latter touting a significant reduction in theft offenses since 2010.
In light of these revelations, the issue of unsolved bike thefts continues to raise concerns about the safety and security of communities. The need for effective law enforcement and community policing remains a top priority as authorities grapple with the challenges posed by rampant bike theft across the country.