The CCTV pictures from the Council's system, though the detail in the pictures is unlikely to provide enough evidence to allow the thief to be apprehended, do show his method of working, and so show what behaviour to look out for and be suspicious of. It was a professional operation which is probably being repeated daily.

The thief was a tallish, thinnish man probably in his thirties, with balding, greying short hair and a prominent nose and forehead. However, he was careful to present himself to the cameras as little as possible. He first approached the racks in ordinary clothing, of a light green jacket, ordinary trousers and no headgear, with a black rucksack on his back. After briefly inspecting the bikes, he then left the field of the camera. He returned two minutes later having dressed as a cyclist, with a helmet and yellow sash, and carrying a yellow cape or mac bundled up: this was to conceal the cutting tool. Placing this bundle by the rack, as if he was doing something with it, or getting a key out, he was able to cut the cable easily unsuspected by the many passers by. These "box-type" hinged stands seem to very disadvantageous from this point of view, as they conceal the lock and make this crime easier. The cutting only took a few seconds: he then quickly opened the stand, taking the cut lock in the yellow bundle, continuing to conceal it. He quickly put the bundle in his rucksack and cycled off with the nearside flow of traffic.

© Paul Gasson