If they're having that much issue with catching people or a large amount of them, then harsher penalties are needed as a deterrence.
You think bike thieves are the kind of people who care about consequences? The ones in my town are a half step away from utter homelessness.
From what I know about shoplifters, usually it's the same pool of people per city who just keep getting slaps on the wrist. If we just locked them up for longer sentences and maybe get them some form of rehabilitation/reintegration course in prison, then the city would run out of bike thieves.
That sounds taxing. It's definitely worth thinking about more.
Im not in uk but I can say when I was young if you got a high end lock and a value bike over a high end. It was extrememly unlikly to have your bike stolen and parts theft was only with the most easiest things like an unlocked quick release front wheel. At some point it changed and just anything witll be stolen and you need a cable to snake through the back. Parts will be stolen that take some time and at best will get them a fiver. If you could get even a minimum wage job it would be a much better return on the effort.
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