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In a very scary and unexpected turn of events, two of our bikes have been stolen. Double locked in Hebden Bridge, a Vauxhall Vectra estate, Reg SB58 HYT pulled up, a masked man leant out, and drove up off the street with the two bikes hanging onto the side of the car, sending sparks as the bikes caught the car wheels.
Gone is the 2020 Juliana Joplin test bike. Please get in touch if you see a second hand one for sale at any time in the next year - there’s a good chance it’s stolen.
Also gone is Amanda’s personal Ragley Piglet. This is her only form of transport, her pride and joy and paid for with her own money. To say she is gutted is an understatement. Again, please keep your eyes peeled, now and into the future.
I just realised I am now minus my lights and pedals too. If there wasn’t a swear filter...
Please keep a look out. This was seriously pro. Who has a balaclava just hanging around in their car?
[mod edit: from Hannah's later post, "there’s a subs code that gives you a fiver off and gives Amanda a fiver every time it’s used: staff-amanda5-19 ]
****s.
Hope you’re both are ok.
Who has a balaclava just hanging around in their car?
Brant doing some guerrilla marketing?
wtf.. sorry to hear Hannah. Hope you get the bikes back
There are many scenarios of bike theft that I had anticipated. Carried off by masked men in a car was not one of them. At first I was pissed off I didn’t realise what was happening until it was too late. Now I’m just relieved I didn’t get run over.
Any pictures of said bikes you can share?
You looked pretty stressed when we drove past you on the bridge, and now it makes sense as to why the RDP lot were spilling out of Drink looking less than happy. What a cr*p night guys! So sorry to hear it xx
Right in front of you ?, 🤬, hope you get them back in one piece, I hope local cctv will be examined by the police, thieving scum like that deserve every finger and their wrists broken, would make them think again before stealing other folks property.
That's crap. Really crap.
Whip round of bits or some cash for a new bike for Amanda? I've some 27.5 wheels and tyres.
Lordy - you said you were a bit twitchy when you had my machine, I can see why now! Hope you get them back safely and the bad guys get their collars felt!
Andrew - Spanner Bike.
What do the police say ?
@rseholes. Hope you get them back.
Whip round of bits or some cash for a new bike for Amanda?
+1 if anyone can organise I'd donate a wee bit of cash.
Shit news. Eyes peeled down ere
Rubbish. Good though that you are all ok.
Very distinctive bikes - eyes peeled down south for them.
Sheee-it! that's not great at all. Glad you are OK
saw this on insta last night, honestly thinking its time I go biking carrying something to defend my bike.
Flipping heck that's mental! Not the kind of scenario I would previously have believed possible in a small north of England town.
Hope the police are onto the culprit pronto!
Twunts. I hope you get the bikes back. I'll keep an eye out in Lancs.
Just checked the registration of that car.
Not taxed or MOT'ed
buggers
Saw this on Twitter.
Scumbags!
Will keep our eyes peeled in the area, for both car and bikes....
That's really awful, that and the Lee Quarry incident, we need to be really careful - someone could end up getting hurt.
Still waiting on a call from the police.
Thats really ****. Very sorry to hear this.
Still, you could have been hurt when they were nicked. Toys can be replaced. Still gutting though.
Very sorry to hear that. All the best from Sweden
Oh no. I'm sorry to read this, I hope that Hannah and Amanda are okay and not too shaken up about having their bikes nicked. It's especially sad that Amanda's own Ragley was taken too.
Would STW Towers be open to donations of bike parts via the post to get Amanda back up and running again?
If nothing else comes up and it's suitable, I have a 16" Ti456 Amanda can borrow for as long as she needs.
Thanks for all your well wishes. We're still waiting to hear from the police and until that happens we won't know where we stand re insurance claims. The wonderful Steve Bate (yes, that Steve Bate, the Olympian!) is loaning Amanda a bike for immediate transportation, and hopefully we'll then have a better idea of where we stand re replacing her bike. She's actually on a day off today, but I know she's been super touched to know there are so many nice humans out there. Thanks for being the STW we know and love.
You might have noticed (some of you have and have used it - thanks!) there's a subs code that gives you a fiver off and gives Amanda a fiver every time it's used: staff-amanda5-19
I was talking with Craig in Ride-On last week and he mentioned increasing instances of similar stuff in the area, with very little interest from the Police. Would probably be worth a chat so you are armed to ask a few more questions regarding the Police response to what appears to be increasingly organised and premeditated activity.
Sorry to hear that 🙁
I've had one carried off on the back of a moped whilst at the café. 5 police cars and the helicopter.
Got the bikes back 🙂
Sounds like the right time for a Hannah special exposé of the local bike crime and Police response...
Sounds like the right time for a Hannah special exposé of the local bike crime and Police response…
Given they’ve still not called me back the prospect of this is rather tempting.
Sting operation time, no constabulary involved. If the authorities demonstrably cannot control crime like this, you not only have the right, you have a duty to take action to protect yourself.
They finally got in touch. Apparently they’ve been very busy today. 2 missing persons and taking 2 children into care. Serious incidents I’m sure, but worrying that just 3 incidents occupy all the police in West Yorkshire for 24 hours. So they haven’t done any ANPR stuff yet but will at some point.
Id keep an eye on the dvla portal and see if that vectra gets motd soon.. or scrapped if it does you might get more info.
Why haven't the plod been on the PNC with the reg.? Its probably nicked but it might narrow down the area the scum are from.
What a nice thread to start my working day with. You're all so kind 🙂
I haven't accepted that my bike has gone yet, so making choices about how to piece together a new one is likely to send me into meltdown. Without going into detail I've had three months of being repeatedly sh@ on with bad news, so I'm going to eat ALL the peanut cookies Mark's wife baked for me and get hunting for a really great cover for the next issue since we appear to have a few new subscribers.
Thank you for the support!
Enjoy the new bike process when your brain can cope!
Mmm, peanut cookies, mmmm
So sorry to read this Hannah and Amanda, what a terrifying thing to happen. Fingers crossed that the Police will take this seriously and especially as it isn't an isolated incident. Sending good wishes to you both and that Amanda's bike turns up soon.
Hope you guys are getting back to normal...
Has there been any more news from the Cops? they must have traced the car by now surely?
As others have said that's terrible news! Hopefully the police get to the bottom of it and it's good news.
I'm happy to donate some parts I've got knocking around if that's the route taken.
Got a medium 27.5 BFe with dropper, Hope brakes, 160mm Yari, XT M8000 doing nowt if needed.
maybe you could organise a stw marking day?
Really gutted for you, I sadly know how it feels. Live in a sleepy village and we were targeted the day before a weekend riding in wales ON MY BIRTHDAY. £8k’s if bikes stolen, never seen again.....I have heard of people being lucky though so fingers crossed for you
Absolutely shocking news and something I couldn't comprehend.
Once the grief is gone you will be thankful I'm sure that you both didn't get hurt as by the sounds of it there prepared to risk a lot .
What method of equipment was used for them to remove any locks and what locks where they or did they find it easier to destroy whatever the bikes were locked too.
I find it incredibly how brazen people can be .
I pray for good news and there safe return
We did get a seemingly useful lead and some photos of our bikes being used to offer them for sale, however the Police have been unable to get enough cause to search premises unless invited in...which of course means they're not there. We believe our bikes are most likely in the Bradford or Mixenden area, so please look out for anything on local community sales groups on Facebook etc.
Of all the things un-taxed, uninsured cars are used for, balaclava-clad smash and grab bike thefts is toward the more extreme end. Not a nice experience I am sure - sincere condolences.
However, any and every un-taxed, uninsured car plays fast and lose with other people's safety and property. Get involved in a collision with one and your losses - be they damage to property, or personal injury - will not be recoverable.
A quick tour of police social media chanels reveals the scale of the problem. It's not even that uncommon to get a "full house"; un-taxed, uninsured, vehicle defective, driver banned and/or no licence in the first place. Whilst the police patrols are able to get some of the offenders, it seems the tech in speed cameras needs to be enhanced to identify offending drivers. Too many innocent parties pay the price at present.
Amanda I have a medium titus elqupo sat their your welcome to borrow that
Mine ended up in Thornton after being stolen in Brighouse. Found them on Gumtree shortly after, police didn't give a monkeys to be honest, and again 6 months later when they popped up for sale once more. I have seen one of the bikes locally 3 months ago, they were stolen in 2015! Thankfully M&S insurance were top notch, but not everyone is so fortunate.
Good luck 🙂