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One of my colleagues has had his bike stolen from the supposedly secure parking area at our work. The thief/thieves had just walked past the security guards (despite needing to show a pass), cut his lock and took his bike. Two other bikes were also stolen and some more locks cut.
Goes to show that thieves are brazen and that not much will dissuade them, even the presence of security guards and CCTV. Take care.
Sorry to hear that, Stickman. Are the building's initials PH? Only place I can think of where I needed to show a pass on a bike (on the way in).
Yes, that's right.
Was it over the weekend? Only time I can think of the bike parking being quiet enough for them to carry out their nefarious work.
is PH related to UoE?
I took a bout of the Norovirus on Tuesday PM (after cycling in to work in the morning) and only returned today. Thankfully penny was where I left her (in the secure park).
Not the one I had in mind, Beano.
Why the secrecy? Is this something which you don't want publicised? If so why mention here? Parliament House? Palace of Holyrood?
ah ok. Thought Pollock Halls for some reason :-)
There are emails circulating at work warning of bike thefts in the Edinburgh Park vicinity. Coincidence?
The PH I have in mind is private sector, not Edinburgh Park, no particular secrecy other than Stickman might not wish it so.
I recognised the security arrangements from Stickman's description, hence my interest. Until this, I would have said it was the most secure work location I've ever parked a bike in, so I am a little aghast that this has happened & wonder exactly where is safe.
No, no secrecy. Port Hamilton - Scottish Widows office on Morrison Street.
I also thought it was very secure and so have been pretty lax about locking up my bike. Not any more.
When I worked at AEGON I remember that some neds vandalised cars in the car park under the watchful eye of CCTV.
The only secure bike parking I know of is the Parliament. Every where else, inside or out, and my bike gets the D Lock treatment.
Cheers, good luck improving security. Try calling the cops to investigate, always embarrasses the employer into beefing up security.
I always found Port Hamilton's security to be rather more theatrical than real. I think DaveC's idea of involving the police is a very good one. Hope nothing too precious got stolen.
I think that my colleague has phoned the police.
Our work bike store is in a basement car park with steel gates that are impassable from the outside unless you've shown your badge to the guard and they've opened the barrier at the top of the ramp for you, which then opens the steel gates at the bottom. There is no other way into the basement except by swiping your badge on an electronic lock. The building is thick with CCTV.
Some people used not to bother locking their bikes, until one was stolen. Unfortunately the gates and barriers open automatically when you approach from the inside, so the thief (who was presumably someone with a badge) would have just jumped on the bike and ridden away. The guards at the barrier probably even said "Goodnight" as s/he left...
Greenroofer, That description would pretty much fit Port Hamilton too. Given that the guards don't verify passes on any live system (or didn't 2 years ago) it could have been a stolen pass which was used to gain access.
The part I find surprising is that they could cut the locks and get out without being spotted. Presumably the exit is covered by CCTV though so unlikely to be someone with a valid reason to be there.
We've found that CCTV is only useful if someone is actually watching it (which they usually aren't)...
The thieves presumably know this too.
Indeed, presumably recorded though which would put anyone off who could be traced.
"Some people used not to bother locking their bikes, until one was stolen. Unfortunately the gates and barriers open automatically when you approach from the inside, so the thief (who was presumably someone with a badge) would have just jumped on the bike and ridden away. The guards at the barrier probably even said "Goodnight" as s/he left..."
Similar situation to my loss. In a Territorial Army centre, I forgot to lock my bike to something secure, though it was locked! The 'boss' was convinced it was someone just playing silly b***ers and hiding the bike. I looked everywhere, in the TA centre and it defnately was not there. As my insurance wouldn't pay out without a Police Crime Ref number, I called the police, who called the Military Police (as it was on MOD property). Nothing came of the 'investigation' as I knew it wouldn't, but it got me my CR number, which got me my payout. After that, the security in that Ministry of Defense establishment got beefed up, as I expect the 'boss' got his rear chewed by his 'boss' for the embarrassment caused.
@Stickman - you have pm
I'd've thought the main reason for not explicitly mentioning the precise location (at least before the security is improved or all affected employees are emailed to tell them to use sturdy locks) is that this will now pop up to internet-enabled thieves.
Good point wingpig: you've got the mind of a bike thief ;-)
My previous employers office, who's car park is opposite the car park in question put the large gates down out side of peak time but the rest of the time it wouldn't have been a great stretch to walk down and grab a lightly/un secured bike. I know I never bothered with a chunky lock just relied on the office security and mine being less good than many of the other bikes in there.
Besides I looked out over the street, I'd have loved to seen the wee scroat trying to ride the fixed and end up lying bloodied on the road...
Didn't Wilmington's Cow have his collar felt by security when he had to cut his own lock to remove his bike from that very office.
@Stickman, what type of lock did he have?
I always try to ensure wherever I lock my bike that I dont have the worst lock in the vicinity - my rationale being that they might walk past mine to one with a less secure lock.
If this sounds heartless, I should say that we use a crappy combi lock that I could hack through in 2 minutes on my sons bike......but I am unbothered as his bike was 2nd hand and easily replaced - if he gets a new one I might change that tune.
I keep a really solid D-Lock at work permanently (same place you used to work) - they would need an angle grinder or bottle jack to destroy that.
It was a cable lock - not the thinnest I've seen but I wouldn't have trusted it out in the street. Guess that the presence of "security" gave some comfort that it wouldn't be cut.
I'm off to buy a good d-lock to leave in work.
Little thieving b*****ds get everywhere. Think IWRATS has previously suggested some appropriate and inventive punishments for them.
@Stickman
Bike thieves should be staked out on the summit of Ben Alder for the ravens. Everyone is allowed one illiberal fantasy law and that's mine.
@Stickman - never heard of neds getting to cars in the Aegon car park, but a number of years ago the wife of someone I used to work beside found out about his dalliances with a younger woman. She managed to get in to the car park and exacted her very public revenge by pouring paint all over his car...
Yes, I remember that and also worked with the man in question...
The neds got in over a weekend and smashed up some cars, including that of someone in my team.
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