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Cycle insurance specialist Bikmo has revealed that reported bike thefts in England and Wales continue to decline, based on newly released police data.
According to Bikmo, the findings show “another year of progress, reinforcing a long-term downward trend in bicycle theft.”
The announcement coincides with the launch of Bikmo’s updated, free Bike Theft Heatmap, now featuring the latest police data, which reveals that reported bicycle thefts in England and Wales have been decreasing over the past few years:
- 2022: 73,218 reported incidents
- 2023: 64,507 reported incidents
- 2024: 57,153 reported incidents
This trend indicates a consistent year-on-year decrease in bicycle thefts, with a 12% reduction from 2023 to 2024.
Top Five Cities for Bike Theft in the UK
Certain areas continue to experience higher rates of bicycle theft. Based on theft rates per 100,000 residents, the top five UK cities are:
- Oxford – 729 per 100,000 (up from 688 in 2023)
- Cambridge – 660 (down from 812)
- York – 445 (down from 556)
- Newcastle upon Tyne – 252 (down from 325)
- Cardiff – 233 (down from 312)
Despite a continued decline in reported bicycle thefts in England and Wales, the resolution rate for these crimes remains persistently low. In 2024, only about 2% of reported bike theft cases led to a suspect being charged, while approximately 89% were closed without a suspect being identified. This low prosecution rate may contribute to underreporting, as many victims feel that reporting the theft is unlikely to result in recovery or justice.
The latest government plans for active travel, including the £291 million investment in cycling and walking infrastructure and a £101 million fund for national improvements, underline the commitment to increasing cycling participation. However, as cities become more cycle-friendly, theft remains a significant barrier to greater uptake. For the cycling insurance industry, this is a clear reminder of the need to further address security concerns in urban environments.
While falling theft numbers are encouraging, bike crime remains a real concern for many riders, especially in urban centres. Bikmo says it continues to invest in tools like the Bike Theft Heatmap to help “empower riders with data to make smarter decisions about security and storage.”
As cycling becomes more central to how we move through cities, Bikmo is calling for greater collaboration between government, police, local authorities and the cycling community to tackle theft head-on, ensuring that riders feel confident choosing two wheels over four.
Bikmo’s Bike Theft Heatmap
At Bikmo, our mission is to protect riders and the places they ride. Bike theft is one of the biggest concerns for cyclists, and we believe that by providing free access to local crime data, we can help riders make smarter decisions. Tools like our Bike Theft Heatmap empower the cycling community with information to avoid hotspots and reduce the risk of theft.
We’re proud that this tool is used not just by riders, but also by law enforcement and policymakers looking to reduce crime and encourage more people to choose sustainable transport – David George, CEO of Bikmo
“Hotspots remain – but we’re working with partners to tackle them”, Titus Halliwell, National Police Lead for Cycle Crime, said:
“It is promising to see continued reductions in cycle crime across the UK, supporting the growth in cycling. Our local partnerships are focusing efforts where they are most needed – and cyclists can further reduce their risk by locking their bikes securely and registering them with BikeRegister.”
