[Closed] PSA - Ashton Court Scallys

bloody hell....

6 or 7 guys just to spot bikes?

"No place on the trail" - but then it also sounds like they weren't there to ride it.

there seem to be spotters and then cars

Holy crapola. Not good. Not good at all.

Flipping heck, a disappointingly top tip so thanks for the warning.

Wow. I (naively) had no idea bike crime was so sophisticated. Scummers.

Thanks for sharing this-- Thinks out loud: Main entrance is the top Gatehouse - up from the bridge I guess.

Dodgy business indeed - maybe boys in blue had a sting in hand..

Love to hear more about the intercepted tail..

Twice around all the roundabouts on the way home then chaps.

can we get someone with a go-pro camera on their back??

The local police and a lot of riders are already well aware of this:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Mountain-bikers-stalked-home-thieves/story-15722854-detail/story.html

But it's worth a bump in case anyone's not yet seen it.

Hmm, Ibis, german luxury car, works in software?

I assume Mr. Ross Terry is a STW regular then?

is brizzle really that bad, its on my potential list of cities id like to move to!

There was a Vito van full of police in the car park at the bottom of Ashton Court last night about 6:30pm. Hopefully they were there as part of some sort of bike-related theft prevention thing?

kimbers - No, it isn’t, but Bristol does have a very active bike scene and so where there’s abundance, there’s theft.

Acquisitive crime has changed in recent years. High end bikes are big business to thieves. The yield to effort/punishment makes it an attractive area to ‘work’ in. People being followed to their H/A’s is replicated up and down the country. Areas like Ashton Court and trail centres are obvious sources for rich pickings unfortunately. Raising peoples awareness to this issue is what's required so that they can take precautionary measures and think more about the general security of their property.

Kimbers, it could be worse:

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/london-bicycle-theft-rises-by-33-in-five-years/013493

Bike theft (and violent crime) is actually dropping in Bristol but earlier this year there was a very worrying spate of targeted theft from people's homes. The majority of theft in Bristol is still the usual low-hanging fruit - bikes locked up in public with cable locks and the like - but as deluded says, there are also some more organised people out there. Of course the same is true of anywhere in the country. FOD has had similar problems too:

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Bike-thieves-lie-wait-steal-cycles/story-15761807-detail/story.html

I suspect I've had a couple of occasions where scallys have tried to follow me home on the bristol/bath bike path- usually a scally at the st George end with a mobile checking out the bikes and a mate of his on a Halfords special near Morrisons - luckily his mate can't keep up with me and drops off after a mile or two....

Will keep an eye out at Ashton court now...

From memory similar thing was happening around Thetford forest a few years back, expensive bikes were singled out with the riders being followed home by bike/car. Police finally caught them not before many bikes were stolen

Given AC/LW riders are generally from within a 10 mile radius it's probably a lot higher success rate for tailing cars than somewhere like FoD or Cwmcarn where they get a higher proportion of visitors from further afield.

This is rubbish 🙁 Its sad that this would happen.

From Clevedon LBS Bikestyle's Facebook page:

Hi all, I've just been speaking to a guy at work (this is Lou by the way!). He told me that he & some other friends were riding in Ashton Court & Leigh Woods last night & noticed a few people hanging around at various points. After they'd finished they packed up & drove home their separate ways. One of the guys was followed by a plain clothes policeman who told him that he'd been also been followed by a man in a Ford Puma who they are aware of as a bike thief. So, keep your eyes peeled when you're up there & on your way home & keep your bikes safe.

Really good to hear the fuzz are onto these scumbags though.

Police issue Bombers at the ready hopefully.

More than likely this is how mine went last weekend.

Were these lads black by any chance, and hanging around the picnic bench by the finish of the Quarry trail? I saw them at about 6.30 ish and did wonder...

Were these lads black by any chance, and hanging around the picnic bench by the finish of the Quarry trail? I saw them at about 6.30 ish and did wonder...

That's a bit of an odd place to hang around if you were hoping to tail someone back to their home, as you'd have to keep up with them all the rest of the way round the trail.

Previous reports of "spotters" have been around the gatehouse or the suspension bridge, where I can imagine it being easy to latch onto someone as they pootle home from a ride.

You're right - but then I've heard reports of mobiles being used also to ring ahead.

Either way, they seemed a bit dodgy (I'm not being racist, just that they were black, and if I'm to be honest, MTBing around Bristol does tend to be a mainly populated by white male Audi driving IT workers)

We could do with coming up with some help for people in terms of how to minimise being tagged - such as don't leave via the gatehouse or encourage use of some of the more obscure exits - but then that goes against the ethos of the trails that have been built...

And I've been mocked by mates before for turning down a side road when I think someone's been behind me a long time... granted we were just coming back from sainsburys but still 😉

But great the police are actually watching out for these tactics, heard of it happening at Llandegla years ago. Also at the camp site at Betws-y-coed used to get people driving in, doing a lap and then leaving. woke up next morning and someone's bike gone from the roof.

We could do with coming up with some help for people in terms of how to minimise being tagged - such as don't leave via the gatehouse or encourage use of some of the more obscure exits - but then that goes against the ethos of the trails that have been built...

Doubt there'd be any issue if people wanted to cut out before the gatehouse (as you have to do anyway when the gate's locked), or finish a ride by going down the Zig Zags at the Clarken Combe end of the estate (as I always used to do when I lived in Bem anyway).

I think the main message the police keep repeating is to stay aware, keep an eye out for anything sus, and report it (Use the non-emergency number 101 if you don't want to call 999). They are treating this as a priority at the moment and would love to nick some more people, I'm sure.

Our current favourite diversion tactic is to head home via the Nova or the Cottage, and sit outside with our bikes until the thieves lose interest. Can take some time, but better safe than sorry. 😉

unklehomered - Member

And I've been mocked by mates before for turning down a side road when I think someone's been behind me a long time... granted we were just coming back from sainsburys but still

late night run for munchies by any chance? 😉

I have a few routes home from AC/LW these days, all of which involve sections closed to vehicles. As long as I ride fast enough to shake off anyone following on a bicycle...

I might be being dim here, but what are the "spotters" adding to this scam? Arent thieves just going to park up near the Suspension Bridge and wait. There's a constant stream of decent bikes being ridden over it from AC/LW most evenings, "fish" and "barrels" spring to mind.

When I was burgled earlier in the year I was asked if I'd ridden at AC/LW in the last month or so, not surprisingly (like most Bristol riders) I had, so I'm not sure if this is cause or just association?

I also ride up and down the Gloucester Road every week day, it wouldn't be hard for someone to follow me then.

Still, it makes good sense to vary your route a bit and nip down a few cheeky passages on the way, more fun too.

Were these lads black by any chance, and hanging around the picnic bench by the finish of the Quarry trail? I saw them at about 6.30 ish and did wonder...

Ive seen those guys a few times over the last few weeks, I think they are more likely bored schoolkids than thieves.

I hope this wont put people off riding in these places, ive been using these trails for over 5 years and I live just the other side of the bridge, so far ive been lucky and nothing has happened.

Mr Agreeable, can you email me on Neil . Bolton @ gmail . com - I'm hoping you're in touch with those coppers in the team - I might be able to help them with something with regards to what I do at work (very secret squirrel).

Neil, will do.

agentdagnamit, you have a point, but there are cases of people being very clearly checked out (in one case even bumped into, in a faux-accidental manner) by people behaving suspiciously.

As Brodie says, keep your wits about you, but don't be put off. I've been using the trails for about 10 years now, and it really is a very unlucky few who are being targeted in this way. There are currently about 10,000 people a month using the trail, so it's sadly natural for the thieves to take an interest.

im convinced that I was followed back from Swinley Forest, two days after riding a newly built bike and the first time I had used a bike rack instead of putting it in the back of the car both my bikes were stolen, Told the police in thames valley and nothing......

clearly the police arent as active down here as they are in Bristol

Doesn't someone live in the gatehouse who would know what was going on outside his front door with regards to people regularly hanging out there to follow people home?

This kind of thing has been happening for years, only more easy for the scallies now as there are more expensive bikes out there at "trail centre" car parks rather than in random car parks for natural trails. When I was a young lad, my Hardrock and brothers Rockhopper were stolen from our garage. The police say it was targeted and I must have been followed home. This was very likely the case, as at the time we had thousands of pounds of kayaking equipement in the garage which they didnt touch, just took the two bikes.

I now go for a quick spin around the block on the way back from local bike trails/rides just to be sure theres no-one on my tail, and where you enter our cul-de-sac its very obvious if someone is behind you, and if they ever are, I will divert down another cul-de-sac until they are gone. Long way for a scally to follow me if I've been to Swinley, though I wouldnt be surprised if it happens there too, more rich pickings.

The 'spotters' were hanging around the wole main (Nova?) trail, pushing up the hill after the quarry section and going very slowly around the trail, waiting a different points to see who was on the trails - I heard one of them say 'that one' as me and my mate passed them. There were about 5 or 6 black guys and one Asian guy all under 20 I'd say. They stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the normal demographic.

There were loads of folk up there last night, so others will defo have seen them.

Mate was followed by a Silver Ford Puma (as per Lou's Bike Style post) with a 'known' offender at the wheel! Copper told my mate to report it as there may be the potential to assign more police resources to bike crime. So well worth reporting anything you see or experience.

'Stay frosty people'!

Don't park at AC or Leigh woods and take a route that a car cannot go down.
The trails are not that big so a mile cool down ride on the road won't hurt.

I must admit I have seen a few people recently that don't look like regular bikers.... But then I tried to remember when I was a teenager and didnt have 2k to spend on a bike (still dont really).

I tend to drop out of LW onto the cycle path about 3 miles from the basin and then have about 5 miles of road home via pretty quick roads so very difficult to follow without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Could be worthwhile getting some cameras going so these peeps can be 'on film'? unless of course they are just kids enjoying the trails like us.

http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/member/Bike-Thief-Gets-Owned,14923/k-shiz,14

Meant to say, a scally is a scally whatever the colour of their skin so the only relevance of pointing that out is that's who I saw last night looking dodgy.

Mate was followed on his bike btw, as we all cycled home.

having to check that no-one is following you home? Bloody hell.

shaped charges in the garage FTW.

dly, you can't trust kids either.

We were followed by three boys on bikes, around 12 years old, through Southmead hospital. We waited, they did, we went in circles, they followed. Proper stalking us. Eventually challenged them and pointed out the cctv cameras we were all standing under, they scooted.

Apparently the kids get money for telling the big boys where the nice bikes are.

I wonder how much of the stuff on the STW classifieds is nicked.... there have been a few dodgy adverts on there recently that have made me wonder.

I looked at somebody's selling history, and it looks like they had split 4 or 5 bikes in the last month - of course it could be perfectly genuine, but it made me wonder.

The point being - are we part of the problem?

Obviously stay on your guard, but try to remember there's an element of this too..

I must admit I have seen a few people recently that don't look like regular bikers.... But then I tried to remember when I was a teenager and didnt have 2k to spend on a bike

I know it's not easy, and sometimes may not be practical, but maybe try engaging these kids a bit if you feel able..

yes, it's possible that they may be part of a gang of thieves, but it's also the school holidays and some may just be up there inspired by the olympics, admiring cool bikes and hero worshipping a bit..

batfink - Member

The point being - are we part of the problem?

Undoubtedly - people need to be wary of who they're potentially buying from and not let a 'bargain' cloud their judgement. It's all about supply and demand.

@ yunki

There will be some of that yunki - good point well made.

Yunki - a fair point and as I said I tried to be objective as to their presence up there. The more people getting out on the trails the better. But only if they're up there for the right reasons!

Been riding in Ashton Court for 20 years (blimey that makes me feel old) and have never seen such a suspicious group. My suspicions were confirmed when my mate was followed. I may not be right but seems too much of a coincidence to me I'm afraid.

Would be happy to be proved wrong!

Also at the camp site at Betws-y-coed used to get people driving in, doing a lap and then leaving. woke up next morning and someone's bike gone from the roof.

I'd have to be on the moon to leave my bike on the roof rack whilst I slept.

Not saying they deserved it but FFS... 🙄

massive problem in southwales. have had two bikes stolen myself. both times expensive full sus stolen and £500 hardtail left behind. police are taking it seriously and believe a gang is targeting cwmcarn and afan. valuable parts are sold and the frames (as they are traceable)being ditched.

Just to balance things out I did a few laps at AC/LW last night and my bike wasn't stolen! In fact there was very few people about and definatly no gangs of crooks lurking in the woods.

this is very depressing.

Keep meaning to head into Bristol to try out the new trails and will have to have our bikes on the roof of the car but worried they will take down the reg or something. We live way out of Bristol but still worried.

Andy - please dont get too Daily Mail about this, as pointed out above, the trails have 10,000s of users and still relatively few thefts. Mountain biking itself is risky, so dont be put off.

It's a sad state of affairs though when you have to ride home via back lanes and cul de sacs to avoid being tailed, but I'm sort of glad to hear the police have confirmed this and are taking action.

Someone must have these kids on GoPro already, I've got the impression that most bikes now come pre-built with cameras on them?!

And what about the risks of using Strava? It's not my thing at all, but I've read articles about suspected links between house burglaries and those publishing routes near their addresses.

(final point - I know I'm a very long way from being the quickest rider on here, but I'm sure I'd out run most groups of 12 year olds that tried to follow me...?)

I think the smart trick is to have 4 or 5 different ride routes home. I have several, all of which include technical and twisty bits so I could shake anyone off who is following me on a bike.

And if you live a little bit further from AC, it makes sense to drive and park somewhere away from AC, then vary your route back to the car each time.........

don't worry, I'm not going to be put off. I'll just head back a different way which will put em off the scent 8)

One thing I would suggest to anyone being followed is if you have someone in the car with you get them to call the police. If not then make a detour past your local police station or make a note of where the police normally park up - eg the triangle or down by college green.

I used to live right by the Uni and had a bike stolen several years ago. I now live somewhere much safer but I am just doing up my flat to rent out and my flat is perfect for a cycling enthusiast so I am hoping to find a nice cyclist or cycling couple to rent it and will be happy to spend a few £100 beefing up the physical security for them as I would do it for myself if moving back in and I believe in treating others as i would want to be. Security is already better than most places but it won't take much to make it a lot better with some heavy ironwork and a bit of time with a welder and concrete.

And what about the risks of using Strava?

Very wise to remove your last name from public view IMO.

Also you can set it to mask your exact address on your routes.

I'd have to be on the moon to leave my bike on the roof rack whilst I slept.

Yeah they were new enthusiasts, wide eye'd and innocent. Bless... foruntatley one of our group had a spare bike to lend them, they came on a ride with us round machno so still enjoyed it, and were insured...

But mine go in the car locked together, and often with cans on string in and amongst...

Was in Cwmcarn car park about a month ago loading my bike into my car when a couple of guys in a Fiesta drove past. It looked like the guy in the passenger seat was holding a camcorder pointed out the window. I wondered what it was for and when I stood up to have a better look they sped off. Should have taken a note of their reg and reported it.

Will try to be more observant in future....

his is very depressing.

Keep meaning to head into Bristol to try out the new trails and will have to have our bikes on the roof of the car but worried they will take down the reg or something. We live way out of Bristol but still worried.

I don't think this is peculiar only to Bristol for a Minute. I know that the Cheltenham Cycling club were warning of stuff like this happening over the last couple of years. If you are advertising £££ worth of kit riding it or sticking it on top of your car you may get followed where ever you are. My mate has had a few bikes nicked from Chelt and they were definitely not random events.

I met 2 guys at CwmCarn who had lost bikes like this, I think it happens everywhere

@andyl - Don't worry about it, crime in Bristol is no worse (or better) than any other popular trail centre. We have a massive MTB community here so gossip like this spreads like wild fire.

It's not a new phenomenon either although I guess it's just got easier to publicise online and on social media.

Years ago, there used to be a round of the Welsh National MTB Series held at Kilvey Hill in Swansea. They stopped using the venue after a gang of kids diverted the race route down a steep hill to a clearing, the first few riders down there were promptly relieved of their bikes mid-race by the gang just jumping out when the riders came to a dead end.

I'll be heading up there on Saturday morning, might take the GoPro with me...

batfink - Member

The point being - are we part of the problem?

Undoubtedly - people need to be wary of who they're potentially buying from and not let a 'bargain' cloud their judgement. It's all about supply and demand.

This, this and this.

I'm getting so bored of people fantasising about beating bike thieves to a pulp, when the other side of the problem - people buying the stolen stuff - seems to go completely unaddressed.

eBay have successfully resisted attempts to introduce anti-fencing measures, such as a requirement to submit the details of items sold by users with a turnover beyond a certain threshold so they can be checked against theft reports.

If people were serious about stopping bike theft they would stop buying untraceable second-hand kit.

Dont forget, if you buy bike parts form someone who turns out to be dealing stolen goods, then you have almost certainly given them your address and let them know you own an expensive bike all in one go. No need to be followed home by a Ford Puma for them to know where you live and what you ride...

I've heard stories of people buying expensive kit, at bargain price, off eBay and then being "relieved" of their new parts plus other household items shortly after.

Fortunately you can do a bit of "due dilligence" on people's selling history on here before you buy from them.... not perfect I know, but enough to make you think twice.

eBay have successfully resisted attempts to introduce anti-fencing measures, such as a requirement to submit the details of items sold by users with a turnover beyond a certain threshold so they can be checked against theft reports.

Always believed that ebay is the world's biggest fence, I never buy second hand bike bits from there, because I just don't trust them.

batfink - Member
I wonder how much of the stuff on the STW classifieds is nicked.... there have been a few dodgy adverts on there recently that have made me wonder.

I looked at somebody's selling history, and it looks like they had split 4 or 5 bikes in the last month - of course it could be perfectly genuine, but it made me wonder.

The point being - are we part of the problem?

my brother experienced something similar with 3 bikes he had stolen, one ended up being resold on e-bay and was successfully recovered despite the local police being useless

but he was more hacked off when he noted a STW forum member showing off anearly new 29er complete build on STW that had been bought from an e-bayer which was basically an exact combination of frame and parts from his two 29er bikes that were stolen down to ths same qr's/grips and chainstay protector

my point being - yes i do believe a good 10-20% of kit on the classifieds is actually stolen - but we look the other way because its a good deal and we kid ourselves to believe that sellers here are all good guys with the same values - when they clearly are not

traders should be banned and a minimum post count of 100 posts before you can use the For Sale section imo

he was more hacked off when he noted a STW forum member showing off anearly new 29er complete build on STW that had been bought from an e-bayer which was basically an exact combination of frame and parts from his two 29er bikes that were stolen down to ths same qr's/grips and chainstay protector

Orange, got a link to that?

Think I may have passed some spotters up on the Ridgeway as well. You get a lot of bike traffic along there on a nice day. As I approached a car park I saw a car with a couple of youths watching me approach. As igot closer they got out and definitely checked my bike out. I checked over my shoulder after I'd gone by and he was straight on the phone. Now there's another car park you pass through in half a mile, and maybe I was reading too much into it, but I decided to turn off before I got there.

Orange, got a link to that?

just done a search but can't find it - may have been the old forum, it was a while back

Don't worry, I've just remembered this classic:

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/not-another-nicked-ibis-mojo

anyone know how afan is regarding thefts at the moment going on my own tomorrow and sleeping in car with bike. cheers

Sounds like you've got nothing to worry about then...

Went up AC last night, never known it so busy! 😯

Was photographed by a ruffian at the end of the M32 with the bikes on the roof rack... Wasn't followed tho. 😉