Cyclist steals his own bike NINE times

10:00am Thursday 10th June 2010 in News By Dan Hearn

Chris Graham Chris Graham

A CYCLIST became so fed up with theft in the city he used boltcutters to steal his own bike to see if anyone would notice.

And nobody stopped him. Nine times.

Chris Graham pedalled to nine spots in the city centre just to prove how easy it was for thieves to get away with your bike unchallenged.

The 27-year-old was quizzed just once by a passer-by, who then promptly ignored the student as he sliced through a bike lock.

He said: “I really couldn’t believe I got away with it.

“The first time I did it I was really nervous. But I soon discovered people would rather ignore a bike theft.”

In December, the Oxford Mail revealed bike thefts in the city had risen to their highest level for six years.

Police figures showed 1,380 bicycles were stolen since April 1 last year, the equivalent of more than five a day.

Canadian-born Mr Graham, who is reading history and politics at Oxford University, admitted he was surprised no-one stopped him.

He said: “One man was chaining his bike up about two metres from where I was using boltcutters on mine, and he actually turned his head to look away.

“Only once did someone ask if I was stealing the bike. Even then, I just said yes and cycled off.”

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Among the locations Mr Graham targeted last week were outside the Radcliffe Camera, Blackwell Bookshop, in Broad Street and New College – all in the middle of the day.

Mr Graham was filmed by a friend while he stole his bike.

The video shows hundreds of people milling around the city centre, many of whom seemed to be taking no notice of what Mr Graham was doing.

He said: “I’m not criticising people for not doing anything. We’ve all been guilty of that at some stage.

“I think one of the problems is in that situation people just don’t know what to do and if they look away they don’t have to make any decision. It’s sad we feel we can’t intervene anymore, but it’s true of modern life anywhere.”

Mr Graham originally came up with the idea when his bike was stolen in New York.

But after he moved to Oxford to study, he decided to test his theory after being told by friends about thefts in the city.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Danny Donovan said people should always contact police if they see a thief in action.

He said: “We would encourage members of public to call us immediately if they see any crime in progress.

“Our officers would rather investigate an incident that turns out to be nothing, than risk missing the chance to catch a criminal and make our streets safer.”

Mr Graham said: “I’m not saying I would get physically involved, but I think I would now be more inclined to say something.

“If you disturb or draw attention to someone stealing a bike, or committing another crime, they are likely to run off to avoid being caught.

“I guess thieves may think twice if they know people won’t put up with crime.”

Comments(35)

wangchung says...
10:10am Thu 10 Jun 10

Plenty of phones with cameras. Just take a snap folks and ring the police.

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BartSimpson says...
10:46am Thu 10 Jun 10

and the police will be out in five days later if your lucky, give you a crime number and thats it!

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Bicester retired says...
10:51am Thu 10 Jun 10

Some years ago, my wife was robbed by some gypsy women in the crowded Oxford city centre in broad daylight. Everyone just watched and did nothing. My wife then went to the police station and spent hours reporting the crime. Most annoying is that she has never heard anything from the police after that.

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fat Barry says...
11:07am Thu 10 Jun 10

Reporting stolen bikes to the police is a waste of time.
I had a bike stolen once, I actually saw the thievs putting it into the back of a red Ford Fiesta hatchback. I memorised the reg. number and went straight to the police to report it. What did they do? sod all.
By coincidence, a week later I saw three youths wheeling my stolen bike down a road close to where it was first stolen. I watched them and saw them take it to a house nearby where another youth started looking it over, etc.
I saw him buy the bike from the thieves and take it into his house. I immediately went back to the police and told them what I'd seen, giving them the address of the house in which my bike was taken. What did they do?. sod all again. I never did get my bike back.

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Brian Two-pence says...
11:56am Thu 10 Jun 10

I wonder if Mr Graham bought nine bicycle locks and cut through each one in the course of his experiment?

Or perhaps he 'simulated' a slicing action with his boltcutters on non-existent chains. That would actually have looked a bit strange and not much like a crime was taking place at all.

If he did indeed go through nine bike locks, I would describe that as a rather expensive way to demonstrate a state of affairs that exists in every town and city up and down the country. I would expect the same show of indifference from bystanders if he repeated the trick in a stripy robbers outfit, carrying a big SWAG bag, a giant placard proclaiming 'I am a bike thief', and shouting through a megaphone: "please report me immediately to the police. This is not a publicity stunt, I repeat, this is not a publicity stunt."

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benjamin says...
12:09pm Thu 10 Jun 10

Brian. If it was me ,I would just buy a length of cheap chain. You only have to cut through one link each time.
I am not surprised that nothing was said. 1. You stand a good chance of being assulted. 2. As others have said. It is a waste of time reporting such a low level crime. The police wouldn't stir off of their chairs for bike theft.

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The Youth are our future says...
1:12pm Thu 10 Jun 10

wangchung wrote:
Plenty of phones with cameras. Just take a snap folks and ring the police.
Good idea, photograph a thief carrying a great big pair of bolt cutters.
Anymore bright ideas?

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Victor Meldrew2 says...
1:19pm Thu 10 Jun 10

As Mr Graham is Canadian born he wouldn't know that in Europe now it is actually against a thief's human rights to stop him in any unlawful act.
Lawbreakers have far more rights and more help than lawkeepers and by ignoring crimes you are helping, as the Police then don't have to ignore that crime at a later date.
I'm sure as Mr Graham go's through his Degree and gets to late 20th politics he will see the thinking behind criminals sticking to thieving, mugging and stabbing rather than serious crime like parking, speeding and dropping litter as these offences don't actually provide much cash but have the severest penalties reserved for them.

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sundance69 says...
1:30pm Thu 10 Jun 10

what apointless waste of his own time

I used to cycle thsi city loads, but pyscho Stagecoach drivers make this town impossible, a driving instructor I knew referred to Cyclists as MHPs - Mental health problems

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coca cola says...
1:39pm Thu 10 Jun 10

right robbing a bike is hardly crime of the century people isit? There are far worse things going on for the police too worry about rather than a stupid bike!!
If you people worry about leaving your bike locked up in the town centre or anywhere.... one simple thing to do..................
. dont ride!
And another thing Mr Chris Graham, you really neeed to get out more mann and grow up!

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digdog says...
1:55pm Thu 10 Jun 10

My ex wife once confronted a thief who was stealing her bicycle in Jericho and was threatened with a large screwdriver. I am not surprised people don't intervene, it's not worth being injured for your own bike let alone someone elses. The chap who suggested you take a photo if you see this sort of thing is spot on but do it discreetly.

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LadyPenelope says...
3:04pm Thu 10 Jun 10

coca cola wrote:
right robbing a bike is hardly crime of the century people isit? There are far worse things going on for the police too worry about rather than a stupid bike!! If you people worry about leaving your bike locked up in the town centre or anywhere.... one simple thing to do.................. . dont ride! And another thing Mr Chris Graham, you really neeed to get out more mann and grow up!
Well how about you let us all know your address, and Chris Graham can pop round with his bolt cutters and take yours. We'll let your neighbours know that you said it was ok...

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Peter Mcvoy says...
3:08pm Thu 10 Jun 10

Does this non-story really warrant front page news?

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Telboyc says...
3:32pm Thu 10 Jun 10

coca cola wrote:
right robbing a bike is hardly crime of the century people isit? There are far worse things going on for the police too worry about rather than a stupid bike!!
If you people worry about leaving your bike locked up in the town centre or anywhere.... one simple thing to do..................

. dont ride!
And another thing Mr Chris Graham, you really neeed to get out more mann and grow up!
You're an idiot.

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Peter Mcvoy says...
3:41pm Thu 10 Jun 10

Telboyc wrote:
coca cola wrote: right robbing a bike is hardly crime of the century people isit? There are far worse things going on for the police too worry about rather than a stupid bike!! If you people worry about leaving your bike locked up in the town centre or anywhere.... one simple thing to do.................. . dont ride! And another thing Mr Chris Graham, you really neeed to get out more mann and grow up!
You're an idiot.
Looks like his comment woke a few people up. I wonder if the trade mark lawyers are looking into the unauthorised use of a well known soft drink.

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Canterbury_Yellow says...
4:54pm Thu 10 Jun 10

Telboyc wrote:
coca cola wrote: right robbing a bike is hardly crime of the century people isit? There are far worse things going on for the police too worry about rather than a stupid bike!! If you people worry about leaving your bike locked up in the town centre or anywhere.... one simple thing to do.................. . dont ride! And another thing Mr Chris Graham, you really neeed to get out more mann and grow up!
You're an idiot.
Well said Telboyc.... What a fool! Coca-cola is probably one of the city's bike thieves!

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Canterbury_Yellow says...
5:01pm Thu 10 Jun 10

And i meant the poster's pseudonym. Im not the pointing the finger of blame for the theft of bicycles at a fizzy soft drink!

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mx5 says...
7:01pm Thu 10 Jun 10

My combination lock refused to unlock outside Sainsburys in Wantage a few years ago so I went home and returned with a large hacksaw and very noisily cut through the cable. Same thing as the story, no one took any notice at all! Next time i'll use a generator and an electric circular saw.

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Synthesizer Man says...
8:35pm Thu 10 Jun 10

I remember a few years ago Central News got someone with a cordless angle grinder to cut a bike lock on Cornmarket Street. As you'd exect, nobody took any notice.

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wend says...
1:40am Fri 11 Jun 10

A few months ago my hubby's combination lock jammed at Oxford station. He went to Robert Dyas and bought a hacksaw; a copper saw him sawing away and asked if everything was ok and hubby said everything was fine but his lock had jammed so he had to saw through the chain. Copper then said ok mate! So there you have it folks, if a copper sees you hacking away just tell him/her the lock's jammed and you'll be fine

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abingdonC says...
10:10am Fri 11 Jun 10

Unfortunately it has become a common sight, removal of bike locks.

Either left too long on University property, students themselves are often cutting off the locks.

It seems if the frame is locked then the expensive bits get removed, leaving remains behind.

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Darren_2010 says...
10:29am Fri 11 Jun 10

you cant report a crime these days without thinking about getting yourself into trouble! all the youths these days carrying knifes and guns! this country needs sorting out!

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coca cola says...
11:00am Fri 11 Jun 10

back again :)
for starters, u could all come round my address with ur bolt cutters and whatever else u want, but u wudnt get far, seeing as i dont have a bike!
and im not one off the bike theives in town centre, but if anyone needs a bike i can get them for £20, any offers?
lastly the reason i havent got a bike is beacause iv got a car!!!!!!!!!

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coca cola says...
11:00am Fri 11 Jun 10

back again :)
for starters, u could all come round my address with ur bolt cutters and whatever else u want, but u wudnt get far, seeing as i dont have a bike!
and im not one off the bike theives in town centre, but if anyone needs a bike i can get them for £20, any offers?
lastly the reason i havent got a bike is beacause iv got a car!!!!!!!!!

Report this post »

coca cola says...
11:00am Fri 11 Jun 10

back again :)
for starters, u could all come round my address with ur bolt cutters and whatever else u want, but u wudnt get far, seeing as i dont have a bike!
and im not one off the bike theives in town centre, but if anyone needs a bike i can get them for £20, any offers?
lastly the reason i havent got a bike is beacause iv got a car!!!!!!!!!

Report this post »

Vestan Pance says...
11:32am Fri 11 Jun 10

Maybe his bike was so s*** that nobody could believe someone would want to steal it?
Pehaps Mr Graham's time would be better spent reading some more history and politics, though potentially he has a promising future as a cycle thief or as a k**bhead!

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Oflife says...
1:01pm Fri 11 Jun 10

As I just told a reporter from the Mail, last year during broad daylight, I saw and photographed someone attempting to steal a bike. I went to report it to a PCO - but he was too busy issuing a (totally unjustified) £60 penalty notice to a poor foreigner riding his bike (slowly) through Cornmarket Street - I photographed that too. So, two thefts in action, one by a member of the public, the other paid for by the public. Ironically, I had two bikes stolen and one vandalised not long after. Mr. Graham is a hero and needs our support and that of the police.

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jonny1976 says...
2:18pm Fri 11 Jun 10

i saw this happen and chose to ignore it as i thought it was staged as he was being filmed...how right was i

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sparky123456 says...
2:23pm Fri 11 Jun 10

problem here is how do you prove ownership? it's unlikely that anyone with a bike more than a year old carries a receipt or still has the warranty. some people register brand new bike serial numbers online but you can hardly prove that in the street if you're stopped. so you just say nah its mine but i've lost the lock key/its jammed whatever. if you care that much about your bike take out insurance and use a Abus gold star D-lock and not a chain.

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carli says...
3:20pm Fri 11 Jun 10

If that what keeps him happy and stops him wanting to steal someone elses bike the fine, i just hope he doesn't get arrested for carrying what could be a dangerous weapon, or stopped and questioned as to why he is carrying bolt croppers. Perhaps he will stay in and watch the footbball with his bike beside him. In the last 6 months my son has had2 bikes stolen and when I tried to claim on my insurance, the bank told me that because the bike was not on our property it wasn't insured! I said that we had insured it so if it did get stolen we could afford another one, however the bank said they had changed their policy recently and that we should read the small print. I ask who are the real thieves here!!!

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Peter Mcvoy says...
12:44am Sat 12 Jun 10

Oflife wrote:
As I just told a reporter from the Mail, last year during broad daylight, I saw and photographed someone attempting to steal a bike. I went to report it to a PCO - but he was too busy issuing a (totally unjustified) £60 penalty notice to a poor foreigner riding his bike (slowly) through Cornmarket Street - I photographed that too. So, two thefts in action, one by a member of the public, the other paid for by the public. Ironically, I had two bikes stolen and one vandalised not long after. Mr. Graham is a hero and needs our support and that of the police.
Mr Graham a hero? You want to get out more mate.

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wangchung says...
11:48pm Mon 14 Jun 10

The Youth are our future wrote:
wangchung wrote:
Plenty of phones with cameras. Just take a snap folks and ring the police.
Good idea, photograph a thief carrying a great big pair of bolt cutters.
Anymore bright ideas?
Yawn.
More trollish nonsense from Yoof.

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Isisbridge says...
12:32am Tue 15 Jun 10

wangchung wrote:
The Youth are our future wrote:
wangchung wrote:
Plenty of phones with cameras. Just take a snap folks and ring the police.
Good idea, photograph a thief carrying a great big pair of bolt cutters.
Anymore bright ideas?
Yawn.
More trollish nonsense from Yoof.
The thief might have had a bad childhood.

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Brian Two-pence says...
1:28pm Wed 16 Jun 10

"Mr. Graham is a hero and needs our support and that of the police."

A man with too much time on his hands? - maybe. A hero? I think not.

Also if the police were to 'support' his actions, this would amount to encouraging everyone to go round prentending to commit crimes.

- Where might this lead? Will people start holding banks up only to later plead that they were actually testing police response times and that their actions were in the public interest?

"Sorry mate, I'm not really burgling your house, I'm just testing your home security system with a view to buying my own. I've already done half the street and am planning to publish the results in a paper and give it to the police to inform the community safety advice they give to residents."

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newcy says...
3:03pm Wed 16 Jun 10

Mr Meldrew is unfortunately correct -I chased a mugger once only to be told by the police that this was harrassment so could not be reported as a theft -otherwise the law would look to charge me and overturn my claim of theft. Forget the fact that I'd been shoved in the face and my 'phone snatched. If any of the onlookers had challenged him and he'd pulled a knife on them, he'd still probably smell of roses in the court -so the exercise proves more that the law does not serve the people's safety, and so they must keep themselves to themselves and avoid any dealing with it.

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