During the first half of this year, more than 33,000 bicycles were reported stolen by the police. This is an increase of nine percent compared to the same period last year. According to the police, there is also a large number of blackouts.
- Usually there are no traces at all so the registrations are just closed. A closed police report means that it is dormant until we have something to go on. If the bike is found, the report is resumed and we try to find the owner, or if someone sees their bike on one of the platforms for sale, says Anna Schelin who is the municipal police in Huddinge outside Stockholm.
Important to report to the policeAnna Schelin points out that it is still important to report directly to the police. Should it be found and handed over to the police, the finder will receive the bicycle after three months if the police do not find the owner.
According to Anna Schelin, one of the reasons why the thefts increase may be that there is a greater range for thieves when more people choose to cycle. At the same time, sales of used bicycles are high. On the site Blocket, the number of advertisements for bicycles has increased by twelve percent so far this year compared to last year.
- You as a buyer have the responsibility to always check up so that the bike is not stolen. A bicycle has an ID number, the frame number, and then you can check it out. If you buy a used bicycle, it is important that you call the police and talk about the frame number so you can search the systems and see that it is not stolen. You will be suspected of receiving if you are hit with a stolen bicycle, so it is important to be careful, says Anna Schelin.
Fanny Ravn's bicycle, which she bought new for SEK 8,000 a couple of years ago, was stolen when it was locked in her courtyard. She reported it stolen and has searched for it both in town and on advertising pages, but to no avail.
- It feels very sad that people come and take other people's things, but what to do, she says.