CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh

More bikes stolen in Porty

(48 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by Jackson Priest
  • Latest reply from chdot

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  1. "I think the advice not to post too much detail about what you have, where you live and when you are going to be out is sound. And possibly not what all of your anti-theft devices are either?"

    Probably fair, but does come across a little like the theft version of 'you must wear a hi-viz jacket and helmet otherwise you're just asking to die'.

    That said, I'd think posting anywhere that you've now got this lock and that lock, and bolts and an alarm would, surely, actually serve to put people off? 'Well I might as well go to that house cos it's just got the one lock...' Kind of like simply making your bike look like more hassle to steal than the one beside it.

    I'd still be stunned if the neds in this case (given the nature of the theft before, and the break in yesterday), would have been as efficient to have trawled the internet, found CCE, read through threads looking for reports of stolen bikes, got my username, searched again to see if there were any threads about going out, found the thread about the cyclocross, assumed I'd be going myself, break in in broad daylight when any of the neighbours could be going about (and were, they were spotted fleeing by a couple). Rather than 'remember that garage we broke into because we saw the car with the bike carriers on it? Let's go back, there were another couple of bikes in there we could lift'.

    The whole metadata thing is reasonably sound (though like steveo I've my doubts it's quite as widespread as that, certainly back when my other half was a fiscal the grand majority of thefts were entirely opportunistic); but the thing I've learned is, as mentioned above with the likes of having a complicated couple of locks on your bike, make it 'look' more difficult to break in, or that you have an alarm, or whatever, and they'll move on to an easier target (precisely because most of it is opportunistic).

    Posted 10 years ago #
  2. Min
    Member

    Probably fair, but does come across a little like the theft version of 'you must wear a hi-viz jacket and helmet otherwise you're just asking to die'.

    No I don't think so, more like "use a d-lock to secure your bike rather than a piece of string and it will be less likely to get stolen". :-)

    Of course it is a little far-fetched to believe that the internets have been used on this occasion as you say but as an example we know at least one person who posts the GPS data from his runs on Faceevil and you can see perfectly where his front door is. He also goes away a lot and posts about that too. Just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. In fact I could go and rob him right now as I know he is travelling in Eastern Europe. Fortunately I am not a scumbag! Well, not a thieving scumbag at least. ;-)

    Posted 10 years ago #
  3. crowriver
    Member

    The whole forum thing and the metadata thing are probably unlikely. Photoshop strips EXIF/GPS data from images if you 'save for web' but I did this anyway, not specifically because I wanted rid of EXIF/GPS.

    That said, I've always been a bit cautious about revealing my real name on public discussion forums, and certainly not where I live, where I store my bikes, etc. There's always a chance (however small) that the "neds" are in fact reading bike forums, or even are registered members. I recall it was not that difficult for EEN commenters to track a few CCErs down, copy'n'paste stuff from here to there. That was just to flame of course, but others might use search engines to find information for different purposes...

    One cannot assume that "neds" are not tech savvy. Unscientific perhaps but many seem to possess rather fancy smartphones. It is often possible to enjoy a robust public musical performance from said devices when one travels by public transport, or be regaled with unabashedly raucous comments regardng the user's online social network experiences.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  4. "we know at least one person who posts the GPS data from his runs on Faceevil and you can see perfectly where his front door is. He also goes away a lot and posts about that too."

    Strava and Flickr it's easy to set privacy zones (and I have). Facebook is annoying as it keeps changing settings, and you have to get into the habit of changing them back.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  5. algo
    Member

    @WC I'm really sorry to hear you and your partner are now feeling unsafe in your own home. I have nothing very useful to say, but I know it's totally rubbish - I have been in the same situation. All I can say is that it will go away somewhere else - it did for me. I was faced with the same helplessness on the part of the police - I did understand that, but it's horrible to hear.

    In my weaker moments, I was even prone to the odd reactionary vigilante thought. Would never do any good though of course. The only deterrent I ever found was to cover places they might put their hands in CV grease - no harm will come to them, but they will think it's disgusting and won't be able to grab hold of anything for a while. Just remember where you put it yourself!

    Posted 10 years ago #
  6. DaveC
    Member

    @WC, I'm surprised you have windows in your garage! Mine are all boarded up, to prevent anyone from casing my garage. No it won't stop thieves from looking in the house, but my house is a lot more secure than my garage.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  7. PS
    Member

    The metadata thing doesn't wash for me unless it's a high-end bike, stolen to order (no offence, WC ;-) ).

    Posted 10 years ago #
  8. Dave, it's the original 30s door, so I was loathe to think about replacing it. Sad he the actions of a few individuals can lead you to think about removing one of the original characteristics of your house.

    And aye algo, those vigilante thoughts are strong in the mind. My oter half mentioned to the police before I got home that I'd been riding home through Niddrie in the hope of finding the bikes. They weren't too concerned about that, but only as long as I didn't challenge anyone as they usually, apparently, travel in packs.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  9. steveo
    Member

    Still think wiring up the door to the mains could come under poor health and saftey type incident rather than a deliberate attempt to fry the wee sods.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  10. crowriver
    Member

    They are often carrying something that can be used as a weapon if need be. One evening a few weeks ago I was walking round the corner to the shops with my son. I saw a familiar trio of young lads wearing hoodies at the end of the street: familiar because the week before I had run after them late at night, after I caught them kicking in the close door.

    They did not notice me but one very quickly slid something under a trade waste bin as the others looked around onto the main road. They then sauntered off. I peered under the bin as I walked by to see a stainless steel claw hammer! Now I know which wee gang have been smashing car windows to nick stuff around here...

    I would have phoned the cops but I'd left my mobile at home. All part of the fun of living in the city!

    Posted 10 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/elite-squad-to-tackle-housebreaking-in-edinburgh-1-3234684

    I hope sheds/garages/stairs count as housebreaking.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  12. No. Sheds and garages don't, they are classified as 'unlawful entry into locked premises' or something similar. But they definitely do not count towards housebreaking stats.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  13. custard
    Member

    @Wilmington's Cow I still look out for your bike
    Im convinced it will appear at some point

    Posted 10 years ago #
  14. riffian
    Member

    @WC - correct. Scots offenses are 'theft by opening lockfast place' and 'opening lockfast place with intent to steal'. Quite distinct from 'Theft by housebreaking'.

    Posted 10 years ago #
  15. Cheers custard. Trust me, so do I!

    Posted 10 years ago #
  16. Charterhall
    Member

    @riffian/WC, out of interest does it make any difference if the garage is standalone or integral to the house ?

    Posted 10 years ago #
  17. Nope, not according to the cops I spoke to (my garage is connected to the house but tis only a 'lockfast place' (thanks riffian, I'd forgotten the specific archaic sounding term).

    Posted 10 years ago #
  18. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Social Media bike-theft dangers [particularly if you have a valuable/ high-end bike] [This article is based on a CCE forum discussion].

    "

    http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/documents/advice/security

    Posted 9 years ago #

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