A few of us were sitting outside the lab at lunchtime enjoying the sunshine when one of our students pointed out that a chav was taking an interest in some bikes locked up in a covered bike rack about 50m away. As I watched the guy, (and he watched me watching him), he casually pulled out a set of bolt cutters! By the time I’d gotten to my feet and made it about 5m towards him,he was on the bike and away. Now admittedly, I’m not fast off the mark nowadays, but the speed that he nicked that bike was frightening!
I immediately reported it to the lunchtime porter on duty in our building, who’s initial reaction wasn’t over inspiring as he just said, “happens all the time”, but he must have done something as our normal porter just phoned to say that the guy has been nabbed by the coppers with two bikes!
CCTV cameras everywhere, lunchtime in the centre of Glasgow’s West end, whilst being watched by folk, and it didn’t phase him a bit. Must have taken him all of 10 secs to pull the bolt cutters out, cut the lock and jump on the bike.
At least the only disappointed person today will be the chav. Good work from the University porters and the Police!
C.