That'll Teach Me. Nearly Got My Bike Nicked

[nailit]

Nipped down to see mum after work today and left my cycle outside on the porch. Usually lock it but lock broke a few weeks ago and havnt had time to replace it.
Having a cup of tea with mum when she noticed a man walking up the path through the window. I turned and noticed that he was looking at my bike so got to the front door fast to see that he was riding it off. I could run faster than he could cycle, he jettisoned my bike and legged it. (I think he is the only man on the planet to run a 3 minute mile)There was another (female) with him who legged it in a different direction and they had left ANOTHER bike.
If the bike was theirs, then they have lost their bike. If the bike was (PROBABLY) stolen then I am now in possession of someone elses bike.

The man I did not recognise, but the female is a local smack head who sits begging in the town centre.
Rang the police but not really interested (Understandably in the current climate)
Question is...what do I do with the bike that they left behind?

[ummmm]

Have a look on FB. People often post about stolen bikes.

[alavahalf]

Ask if any one has lost a bike on facebook .. obviously you would need a description before handing it over.

[retrocop]

Take it down the local nick and hand it in as ‘lost property’?

[Togo]

Pull it to pieces and chuck it it Wesport Lake? (^_*)

Haha made myself laugh there Nails. Yo are like a kin trouble magnet Nails. I've got brothers like you.......and the sisters....even more attractive. If plod doesn't want it ......advertise it on ebay and they will be round to arrest you before you can say "it wasn't me guv".

P.S. Is it a good bike? I "know someone" who might be looking for one. Please post the frame size, make, colour, gear set up, and if it is an off road bike does it have suspension.

[Buenchico]

^^^ Most police forces refuse to have anything to do with most types of lost property. Our lot certainly don't:
https://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/lost-and-found-property

If you've got
(a) somewhere to store the bike (such as a mate's shed) ; and
(b) a means of advertising in your local area (whether that be a card in a newsagent's window, a community newslater, a Facebook group or whatever),
try an ad along the lines of . . .
"Found on 1st June in (name of area): A bicycle, believed likely to have been stolen. Police notified but not interested. If it's yours, and you can describe it accurately, please phone . . . "

[Buenchico]

^^^ I wonder what a 'newslater' is? ;-)

[jno]

some sort of catch-up service, no doubt?

[retrocop]

Or I should say ‘ apparently abandoned property found in the street’
Coppers are taught in training school that the three most dangerous pitfalls are the 3 Ps. Prisoners,Property, and Prostitutes.
They are all a whole world of grief if not dealt with carefully and of course they have to receipt it to you for later claims.

[tomus42]

Social media is your best bet. Stick a photo of it on Facebook. I'm not sure how you check it's the rightful owner that claims it though.

[nailit]

After ringing the police, I was told that a pcso would be dispatched to pick it up within the hour. Waited an hour and half at my mums before going home. Up until now, no ones been to collect it. Bit loathe to advertise it on FB as it has the theif's fingerprints on it. Also my mums neighbour has cctv pointing to right where he got off and legged it. In addition I know the female and where she *used* to live.
As I said, its understandable that a stetched constabulary isnt overtly keen to pursue this, but I could potentialy have someone elses bike.

[pastafreak]

The "old fashioned" way...notes on lamp posts, shop windows with your phone number.

[nailit]

//The "old fashioned" way...notes on lamp posts, shop windows with your phone number.//
And that would give the thief ammo against me.
These were smackheads, one of whom Ive mentioned, I know (the female that was with him)

[Gromit]

Definitely would not take it to the police station, they are more crooked than the smack heads.

[nailit]

There were two of them, the female I (sort of)know. The actual male who tried to make of with my bike I dont.
But it cant be difficult for the police (or pcso) to pick up the remaining bike and fingerprint it and look at neibouring cctv?

[nailit]

//Definitely would not take it to the police station, they are more crooked than the smack heads//

Next time someone accuses me of been anti police please pick on Grom instead ;-)

[tomus42]

The police wouldn't give a toss about fingerprinting, prosecuting the thief and then finding the owner of a stolen bike, crisis or no crisis. They haven't done since about 1973.

[Tilly2]

From a positive point of view, if your bike does get stolen in the future, you have a replacement. :-) Have you got room to keep it?

[retrocop]

//Next time someone accuses me of been anti police please pick on Grom instead ;-) //

Lol. Well knowing he is a moderator I guess he is experienced in the matter.

[nailit]

//From a positive point of view, if your bike does get stolen in the future, you have a replacement//
There is that Tills (if the police dont collect it in the meantime)
However my bike is a much better quality bike.
(Im one of those that brags on here...)

[nailit]

After over an hour and a half wait for the pcso's to turn up to collect it I gave up.
What should I have done with potential stolen property that could be stored? Left it where I found it?
Potential property with fingerprints at that.
Serious question. What are people supposed to do?