Over 50,000 bicycles stolen every year

Bicycle theft across England is on the decline, but there are still over 50,000 stolen every year.

In the year ending March 2024, 59,740 bicycles were reported stolen to police throughout England – falling by 8.3% to 54,780 for the year ending March 2025.

The North East of England and East Midlands saw the biggest improvements with a 20% drop in bicycle thefts year on year – that’s 1,439 less bicycles being stolen.

After regionally weighting the data, Greater London and Yorkshire and the Humber were the worst for bicycle theft, with 176 and 89 thefts respectively, per 100,000 people.

Michael Kirk, bicycle insurance expert from Quotezone.co.uk said:  “Thankfully bicycle crime is on the downturn but there are still tens of thousands stolen every year.

“There are key safety precautions that cyclists can take to help prevent crime such as double locking their bike through the frame and the wheel to an immovable object, ideally with two different locks in the hope that thieves don’t have all the necessary tools with them to free the vehicle.

“The type of lock is also very important and depends on the value of the bicycle and the requirements from each insurer. Normally there is a minimum accepted standard and certain conditions of use, such as ensuring it is under two years old and selected from an approved list of locks.  

“Security marking and registering the bicycle can also help improve the chances of getting it back, should it be stolen.

“It’s also important to know certain behaviours that could potentially void bicycle insurance, meaning cyclists aren’t protected. Being aware of these lesser-known factors such as making sure the bicycle is stored out of sight, is crucial.  If it is easily seen, such as through the garage window, then it could be viewed by the insurer as not being properly looked after, and the insurance could be void.

“If costs are becoming an issue, some insurers now provide theft-only cover, so it is worth reviewing the budget and the cover options available to see what suits.”

As a price comparison site, Quotezone can help cyclists compare quotes, save money and find the cover they need whether it’s for a road bike, e-bike, commuting or events, or covering multiple bicycles under one policy. 

References:

Weighted per 100,000 people for England regional comparison;

ONS Home Office police‑recorded crime data tables for the years ending March 2025 and March 2024 – ons.gov.uk.