Shocking figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats show that three in four incidents of bike theft (77%) in Greater Manchester ended with investigations being closed without a suspect being identified or further action being taken by police. 

Oldham Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader councillor Howard Sykes said, “For all of the talk from local and national leaders about investing in frontline policing, clearly our police forces are struggling to get a handle on basics.”

Data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats also revealed that, of the 2,588 bike thefts that were recorded across Greater Manchester in 2022, only 18 cases resulted in a suspect being charged.  Councillor Sykes hit out at the government and at Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has responsibility for policing across the region.

Councillor Sykes “Mismanagement and underfunding, both from the government and from Greater Manchester’s Mayor, have created a vicious cycle.  The politicians cannot get it right, so residents are left with rising council tax bills which are being used to backfill failing services.”  

“Meanwhile, criminals are getting away with taking thousands of pounds worth of property, and our police force is seemingly powerless act.  This is highly concerning, and it is a direct consequence of the disappearance of frontline policing in our communities.”

Bike theft data commissioned by the Liberal Democrats
Bike Theft – Google Sheets