Usually the bikes are lined up in the bike rack by the football field at Falkum in Skien. They cannot be left alone there. While the children run around on the lawn, the thieves see their plans for a raid. On average, four to five children on each team have lost a bicycle within a short time, the club states. – It is incredibly boring for us that this is happening, says Stein Birger Johnsen, team leader for Odd boys 17 in Skien. TA reported the case first. Increase in bicycle thefts Johnsen shows bicycle locks cut with what he thinks is an angle grinder. – They do that in seconds. So it is quickly done, he says. Stein Birger Johnsen is the team manager for Odds’ U17 team and the father of children whose bicycles have been stolen. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news Last year, 14,853 bicycle thefts were reported, according to figures from Finance Norway. This is an increase of 8 percent from the previous year. The bikes are getting more expensive. This also increases compensation payments. Last year, damages of around NOK 155 million were paid out, compared to just over NOK 130 million the year before. This is an increase of a whopping 19 per cent. That is more than the insurance industry paid out for similar car thefts, according to Tek.no. Big sums In the northern district of Skien, an entire neighborhood is affected. Even in broad daylight, the locked bicycles disappear from gardens and backyards in the area. Johnsen estimates that bicycles worth hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, have been stolen just in the small area of the city. – Do you know who is behind the thefts? – We know that quite well. Both pictures and film have been taken. We know many of them, but it is difficult to get anything done about it, says the team leader. Children’s and young people’s bicycles must not be left alone, even if they are locked to a bicycle rack, as here at Falkum in Skien. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news Some children have saved money for the bicycle on their wish list. Others have used confirmation money and shelled out for a new bike. – It is difficult for them to understand that this will not end, says Johnsen. Now he advises children and young people to be careful about using expensive bicycles. To avoid theft, people in the neighborhood must not only lock bicycles, but put them indoors. Prioritizing more serious crime The police are aware that bicycles are an attractive target for thieves. This year, the police in Grenland have received exactly 333 reports of stolen bicycles. The number of reviews remains stable. Electric scooters and e-bikes are most at risk. – There are big values involved in total, says Annie Sandersen, section leader for investigation and intelligence at Grenland police station. Annie Sandersen, section leader for investigation and intelligence at Grenland police station. Photo: Theodor Aasland Valen / news Bicycle thefts are not among the cases the police prioritize the most, she says. – That does not mean that we do nothing. We drop many of these cases, but far from everything. – Isn’t it harmful to trust in the police when thieves are allowed to run rampant freely? – I do not want to say that they are allowed to run rampant freely. But we recognize that when we have to drop cases that it affects our trust. And then we have the staffing and resources we have and have to make priorities in relation to the total crime, says Sandersen. How to avoid bicycle theft: Lock the bicycle properly with an insurance-approved lock. See FG-approved bicycle locks. Preferably lock the bike to something fixed and solid. Avoid leaving the bike outside overnight. If you remove the bike seat, the bike becomes less attractive to thieves. Consider where you put your bike down. Write down the frame number of the bicycle. Report bicycle theft as soon as possible. Source: Finance Norway
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– It is difficult for them to understand that it does not end – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
