Forum Topic

Electric bike chaos / theft

I popped out to the high road just after 6pm this evening. Electric bikes and scooters were pinging around everywhere - on the roads and pavements. One lad on a bike, dressed all in black with a hoodie and balaclava was brazenly shining a torch into the back seats of parked cars…the thieves are running amok in W4 [and most parts of London]…what can be done about it? ps I have no hope of Sadiq Khan doing anything!

Emma Elizabeth ● 8d18 Comments

Wow, Juliet, nothing quite gross generalizations based on ignorance to start your day.Fact is, you haven't a clue. Perhaps there is only one parent. As if it matters. Perhaps a grandparent or aunt or neighbor is looking after these kids. Perhaps they are working two/three jobs to do the best they can. A positive role model has nothing to do with gender. Fact also is, kids with two parents and everything given to them with the best role models available are still doing stupid stuff.

David Lesniak ● 2d

Lack of positive male role models. Their parent(s) doesn't care where they are.

Juliet Hogg ● 2d

And churches also provide youth clubs, so we need to keep them up and running.

Janice Evans ● 3d

Yes a lot of youth clubs closed, maybe around Covid time, if it helps that would be great.

Janice Evans ● 3d

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/sadiq-khan-late-night-youth-clubs-clapham-disorder-mayor-b1277951.htmlfor example.

Ruth Mayorcas ● 3d

Drugs are probably the most difficult to deal with and drug taking leads to committing crime, I have seen good people go that way.

Janice Evans ● 5d

There's been quite a lot of success documented in dealing with the county line drugs gangs but it is of course always changing.

Philippa Bond ● 6d

Is it organised crime, is it for drugs, do they take drugs, if they do why are they riding these bikes.

Janice Evans ● 7d

Yet the mayor Kahn has done NOTHING to tackle this crime.

Steve Taylor ● 7d

https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/534977.on-your-bike-boys/It's longer than 20 years.  Probably 30 years if not more!

Philippa Bond ● 7d

“ Surely you can't think the status quo is acceptable.”I think you’ll find that all die hard Labour supporters think that Khan is doing a wonderful job and that crime in the capital just doesn’t exist. They’re quite content to watch the breakdown of law and order as the City goes to the dogs before their eyes.

Steve Taylor ● 8d

Japan isn’t coping at all. Pensioner crime is increasing because Japan doesn’t look after its elderly. Pensioners now openly shoplifting because they want to be arrested and serve up to 10 years in prison which they love because it offers them food, housing, friendship and medical care. See Ch 4  Unreported World with Krishnan Guru Murthy from Friday night 17/4“ Unreported World episode "Japan's Shoplifting Pensioners" (Season 46, Episode 2), airing April 17, 2026, on Channel 4, investigates why Japanese seniors are increasingly turning to petty crime. The documentary highlights pensioners stealing small items for food and shelter, often intentionally seeking imprisonment due to poverty, isolation, and a desire to escape harsh living conditions. This video shows a scene of an elderly shoplifter being confronted in a Japanese supermarket:”

Steve Taylor ● 8d

My recollection is that the 'boys on bikes' problem has been an issue in Chiswick at least for two decades. Sadiq Khan as a solicitor in Tooting at that point may have been guilty of not doing enough to nip the problem in the bud at that point so could arguably said to be entirely to blame - I guess we will never know.It could be the constant here is that some teenage boys will always be trying to nick stuff. It was certainly the case when I was growing up (I wasn't stealing anything I hasten to add).I don't think the figures confirm that theft from cars is any worse than it was twenty years ago. Certainly the rather sad sight of a broken windscreen as I walk down to the tube has not become noticeably more prevalent. It may be we are seeing an increase as e-bikes increase the getaway potential for thieves but the main problem still seems to be that enough people continue to leave valuable stuff in cars to make it potentially lucrative to check them out. Not sure the police or Sadiq Khan can do much about this other than repeatedly tell people not to leave laptops or other tech in cars.

Mark Evans ● 8d

We have a huge wealth gap here in the UK.  How are we going to solve that?  That fuels crime.Many starter jobs are no longer as available as they were when I left school or college.  However, many children are not even leaving school able to cook and look after themselves and as we've found out make a cup of tea and a sandwich - or sew a button on  -  not things that a school should be expected to teach!Many activities/sports are not affordable and not available at school.  Many youth centres have been closed leaving youngsters with fewer useful, interesting and challenging and activities to engage in.  There is a saying that it takes a village to bring up a child.I've seen it suggested that more youngsters should join the TA.We are a growing elderly population and it was interesting to hear some ideas as to how we're going to deal with this and give everyone the sort of care they need, want and deserve.Japan is worth looking at to see how they are involving communities in including and looking after/looking out for their elderly.  Ours who can't make a cup of tea or a sandwich will be hopeless!  That's not something to look forward to!There also seems to be a huge tolerance gap!

Philippa Bond ● 8d

Yes, Anne, I'd be interested to know what you would suggest. Surely you can't think the status quo is acceptable.

David Lesniak ● 8d

i noticed that they ride on the pavement to dodge traffic lights especially top turham green they going to know somebody over as it’s narrow especially by Snappy Snaps

John Kennedy ● 8d

The mayor could start by admitting we have a problem with theft/muggings/shoplifting. Instead of being in denial, the mayor would then have the right mindset to address the issue. He could then direct more police resource to the matter. It would also cost him nothing to provide police with more authority and less red tape. He could introduce initiatives that encourage the public to report crime, rather than turn a blind eye in the belief nothing will happen. So what would you propose? Ideas welcome!

Emma Elizabeth ● 8d

What do you propose Sadiq Khan does about it?

Anne England ● 8d