Just a heads up really, I took a last minute decision to go and ride at Swinley tonight. I pulled into the car park and parked up. Got changed and then got the bike out and lent it against the back of the van. I noticed whilst i was getting changed that an red Ford Fiesta pulled into the car park and drove up to the visitor centre which i couldn’t quite see from where i was, then within a couple of minutes left the car park. I thought the car looked dodgy but I didn’t really think anything off it too much. I then knelt into the back of the van to get my shock pump and i suddenly realised that a guy in a black beanie was getting on my bike. I shouted and instantly took chase. Luckily it was in a lowish gear so it took him a while to get going and I managed to grab his arm as he shifted under massive load making the gears jump! I pulled him down on to the ground. The downside was i also ended up on the floor and he managed to get up quicker being on the opposite side of the bike and leg if off down the car park! I probably then should have given chase to get the scum bag but just decided that I was very lucky to still have my bike!
I then decided that I may be would still go for a ride but I would move the van into the Water World car park, I drove into the car park and couldn’t believe my luck but the Fiesta was in there with the guy who tried nicking the bike being in the back seat still wearing his beanie along with another 4 people. So i got the registration number and called the Police, who didn’t seem that bothered even though I mentioned they was CCTV in The Lock Out car park that would have captured all this!
I got the impression that they have tried to do this before (may be even been successful) so don’t leave your bikes unattended in the car park at night. I was half a metre at the very most when he grabbed it! If you are on your own take extra care as it makes you a very easy target because there is no one to give chase on another bike.
The car registration number was T608 PRJ – Colour Dark Red.
If you also know anyone this happened to please let them know about this post!