Edinburgh police chief says criminals could be turning from shoplifting to bike theft as authorities urge more cycling

Edinburgh's police chief says criminals could be turning from shoplifting to other crimes like bike theft as local authorities encourage more people to cycle during the phased easing of lockdown.

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, says officer are working hard to get the message out about bike security given a recent surge in thefts.

The latest Police Scotland figures, from April 1st 2019 to March 31st, reveal there were 783 fewer shoplifting incidents (16 per cent reduction) this year compared to last.

But with most shops now closed, there has been a spate of bike thefts across the city in recent weeks, including from NHS workers like doctor Niamh Cooper who was working a shift in the Western General Hospital Covid-19 ward when her locked up bicycle was stolen.

Police have charged two men - aged 17 and 21 - in connection with stealing three bikes from the Western General, with a trio of youths also charged over the theft of three more bicycles from the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI).

Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for the city, acknowledged that police "can not discount" the possibility of criminals now turning from crimes like shoplifting to other activity like bike theft.

He said: "Economically, we know the lockdown is having an adverse effect on poorer members of society and having an adverse impact on inequality, so people who have even less money now because of lockdown could be turning to crime to get more money."

With bike thefts on the increase, police teamed up with NHS Lothian earlier in the month to help support staff at the ERI with a bike marking event, and secured funding from the health authority to put in "permanent prevention systems."

Edinburgh City Council announced this week that the Capital will benefit from a £5 million Government funding boost over the coming weeks and months for more segregated cycle lanes, temporary widening of pavements and pedestrianised streets.

It comes in response to more people choosing to walk and cycle as Scotland enters the first phase of lockdown easing, with car journeys and use of public transport still subject to restrictions.

Chief Sup Scott continued: "There has been an upsurge in targeting bikes and our prevention team is working to get the message out to the right people about bike security.

"The Government and local authority are encouraging people to cycle more and, in terms of an emerging trend and looking ahead, we want to keep that message going to the public, and partners, about keeping bikes with their true owners."

Chief Sup Scott also urged people looking to buy bicycles on sites such as Gumtree to watch out for inflated prices, as this could be a sign that the bike has been stolen.