Wondering what to do if your bike is stolen? Move fast — the first 24 hours largely decide whether you'll see it again. Only around 1% of reported bike thefts in London end with a positive outcome, and most stolen bikes are listed for resale or stripped for parts within days. The riders who beat those odds act immediately, and in the right order. This guide walks you through exactly that: securing evidence, reporting to the police, getting your crime reference number, flagging the theft on BikeRegister, and giving yourself a genuine shot at recovery.
The First Hour: Secure the Evidence
Before anything else, gather what the police and your insurer will ask for:
- Photograph the scene — the empty stand, the cut lock, any damage left behind.
- Note the exact time and location, plus when you last saw the bike.
- Spot the CCTV — shops, stations and council cameras nearby; note positions so police can request footage before it's overwritten.
- Dig out your frame number — from your receipt, old photos or insurance documents.
Don't broadcast your address or routine on social media, and never confront someone you believe has your bike. Evidence first, always.
Where to find your frame number
It's usually stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket — flip the bike and look between the pedals. Some brands stamp the headset, rear stays or seat tube instead. That number is the unique ID that proves the bike is yours.
If you haven't already recorded it, check any purchase receipts or apps that came with your bike. Failing that, the shop where you bought the bike from might have a record of it.
Report It to the Police and Get Your Crime Reference Number
Report the theft the same day — online via the Met Police reporting service or by calling 101. Use 999 only if the theft is happening right now. Hand over the frame number, photos and CCTV locations.
You'll be issued a crime reference number, and it matters more than most riders realise: no crime reference number, no insurance payout in almost every case. It also ties your bike to future police recoveries — when officers seize stolen bikes, frame numbers attached to live crime reports are how they find owners.
Reporting also fixes the data. Under-reporting is one reason bike theft sits low on policing priorities.
Flag It on BikeRegister
Next, log the theft on BikeRegister, the UK's national cycle database. Police forces check it when they recover bikes, and careful second-hand buyers search it before purchasing.
Already registered? Mark the bike stolen. Not registered? Create the listing now with the frame number and photos — it still helps. A stolen-flagged frame number makes your bike radioactive to legitimate resale.
Watch the Resale Channels (Without Playing Hero)
Most stolen bikes surface on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay — often within 48 hours, usually listed a little way outside the area they were taken. Set alerts for your make and model.
If you spot your bike: screenshot everything — the listing, seller profile and photos — and pass it to the police with your crime reference number. Don't arrange a meet-up or go alone; that's how bad days get worse.
This is the gap a professional service closes. BackPedal's bike recovery service uses covert GPS trackers and a trained recovery team instead of Marketplace luck — recovering 79.7% of stolen bikes, typically within about 48 hours.
Claim, Replace, and Theft-Proof the Next Bike
With your crime reference number, start the insurance claim — specialist policies typically replace new-for-old at your declared value. Home contents cover is often weaker for bikes stolen away from home, so check the wording before assuming you're protected.
When you replace the bike, change the maths for next time:
- Two good locks — Sold Secure Gold, two different types
- Register the frame number on BikeRegister from day one
- Fit a covert tracker so the bike can be traced, not just mourned
- **Choose bike insurance with recovery built in**, so someone actually goes and gets it
BackPedal customers report thefts through a dedicated report bike theft page — and the recovery clock starts immediately.
The Bottom Line
If you take one thing from this guide on what to do if your bike is stolen, make it the order: report fast, get the crime reference number, flag the frame number — all within 24 hours. Then decide whether your next bike relies on a 1% recovery rate or a 79.7% one. Get a BackPedal quote and put a recovery team on your side before you ever need one.
FAQs: After a Bike Theft
How quickly should I report a stolen bike?
Immediately — ideally within hours. CCTV footage is routinely overwritten within days, insurers expect prompt reporting, and resale listings appear fastest in the first 48 hours. Same-day reporting protects your claim and your best leads at once.
What is a crime reference number?
The unique ID the police issue when you report a crime. Insurers require it before paying a theft claim, and it links your frame number to your case if the bike is later seized. Keep it with your policy documents.
Can the police track my stolen bike?
Not unless it has a tracker — police have no way to locate an untagged bike, which is partly why only around 1% of London bike thefts end in a positive outcome. A covert GPS tracker changes that completely.
What are the chances of getting a stolen bike back?
Via a police report alone, roughly 1 in 100. With a hidden tracker and a professional recovery team, the odds invert: BackPedal recovers 79.7% of stolen bikes, typically within about 48 hours.