Police and Biking Community Meet to Discuss Motorcycle Theft in Bristol

2 December, 2025

Police and Crime Commissioner teams up with Bristol Bike Theft Awareness to host crucial meeting with local bikers as theft figures remain stubbornly high.

Around 100 concerned motorcyclists gathered in Bristol on 1st December for a frank and sometimes heated discussion about the ongoing motorcycle theft crisis affecting riders across Avon and Somerset. The meeting, hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody and Bristol Bike Theft Awareness, brought together police officers and community members to address a problem that shows little sign of abating.

A Problem That Won't Go Away

The statistics paint a sobering picture. In 2023, nearly 1,500 motorcycles were stolen across the Avon and Somerset police area. While 2024 saw a slight reduction to around 1,200 thefts, year-to-date 2025 figures suggest the problem is escalating again, with projections indicating this year could exceed 2024's total.

"I completely understand the feelings of frustration and the evident sense of loss when people have had that experience," said PCC Clare Moody, acknowledging that for many in attendance, this wasn't just about property loss - it was deeply personal.

Police Operations: What's Being Done?

Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman, who last stood in the same room discussing motorcycle theft in 2017, presented an overview of current police efforts. He was joined by Temporary Chief Inspector Rich Fear from Bristol South neighbourhood policing, PCSO Mark Thomas leading Operation Broad, and Sergeant Adam Clapp from the roads policing unit.

Operation Broad

Created in 2021 in response to a significant increase in anti-social behaviour and illegal use of bikes, Operation Broad serves as a central intelligence hub focused solely on South Bristol. PCSO Mark Thomas explained how the operation collects information on stolen bikes, dumping locations, times of day, and patterns to enable proactive policing.

The operation has delivered tangible results. In 2023 alone, days of action resulted in 180 positive outcomes - including arrests, seizures, and court reports. The operation gained national attention when BBC Breakfast featured the work in a ten-minute segment.

"Every job that comes in for a stolen bike or a found bike, I will look into it," Mark explained, emphasising the importance of public reporting even when immediate response isn't possible. "That information is invaluable because I will put it into the system to try and build that bigger picture."

Operation Hemlock

Launched officially in September 2023, Operation Hemlock represents a force-wide approach to tackling criminality enabled by powered two-wheeled vehicles. The operation covers a spectrum of offences, from anti-social behaviour through to organised crime.

It was discussed how the team deploys specially trained motorcyclists alongside tactical pursuit drivers, using intelligence-led operations to intercept and stop offenders. Video footage shown at the meeting demonstrated tactical operations in Bristol city centre, with police motorcycles and pursuit vehicles working in coordination.

The Challenges

Officers were candid about the obstacles they face. The tactical approach is governed by strict proportionality requirements, particularly following the controversial Cardiff incident where offenders died after fleeing police. The involvement of the Independent Office for Police Conduct has shaped operational guidelines, balancing the need to catch criminals against officer safety and legal liability.

Training presents another limitation. Not all officers are authorised to pursue motorcycles, and untrained officers risk criminal prosecution if they act beyond their capabilities. This explains some of the frustrating videos circulating on social media showing bikes performing wheelies past stationary police vehicles.

The court system also poses challenges. Even when offenders are caught and prosecuted, sentences may not reflect the impact on victims or provide adequate deterrence.

Community Frustration

The question-and-answer session illustrated the deep frustration within the biking community. Several themes emerged repeatedly:

Recovery Rates: Questions about the overall recovery rate for the 1,200+ stolen bikes went unanswered during the meeting, highlighting gaps in data brought to the meeting by the police.

Known Offenders: Multiple attendees expressed exasperation that the same groups continue operating with apparent impunity. "There's a certain group doing 60% of bike theft in Central Bristol," one attendee stated, noting they see the same names and faces repeatedly on social media.

Geographic Coverage: Concern was raised that operations appear focused on Bristol South, with other areas potentially underserved.

E-Bikes: Several attendees urged police to crack down on illegal e-bikes, arguing that enforcement would both remove dangerous vehicles and reduce the pool of young people who progress to stealing motorcycles.

Systemic Failures

Beyond specific incidents, attendees expressed broader frustrations with the system as a whole. Call handlers were criticised for appearing uninterested in recording reported thefts, while police limitations on pursuits left many feeling that offenders operate with impunity. The perception that "not enough is being done to reign these guys in" was voiced repeatedly, compounded by anger over lenient sentences when thieves are successfully prosecuted. The disconnect between community expectations and operational realities created palpable tension in the room.

The Emotional Impact

Chief Inspector Rich Fear shared his own experience as a motorcyclist, recalling his first bike - a troublesome Honda CB250N Superdream - and how it brought him into the biking community.

"The impact of motorcycle theft is never lost on me," Fear said. "It's the effect on your passion. For many of you, it's also your livelihood. When we talk about theft of motorcycles, it's the impacts that it leaves- the fact that people can't get to work, that this is your Saturdays and Sundays with your partners on these machines."

Moving Forward: A Call for Action

The meeting concluded with PCC Moody acknowledging that simply repeating the 2017 meeting without tangible outcomes would be unacceptable. She proposed establishing a smaller working group of community volunteers who could:

• Maintain two-way communication between police and the biking community

• Bring forward innovative ideas and solutions

• Hold police accountable for progress

• Help disseminate information about operations and results

This approach mirrors what was successful at the time of the 2017 meeting, where a dedicated group of volunteers worked closely with police to develop solutions.

Several concrete suggestions emerged from attendees:

• Better publicity of police successes to deter offenders

• More coordinated cross-border operations (bikes stolen in one area often end up in another)

• Consideration of tactical options used by other forces

  
  

Funding Issues

An underlying theme throughout the evening was resources. PCC Moody reminded attendees that Avon and Somerset receives lower funding per capita than many forces nationally. She has repeatedly challenged the Home Office on the national funding formula and emphasised the importance of local funding.

The reality is stark: policing faces more priorities than available resources, requiring difficult choices about where to focus efforts. The 80 new officers in Neighbourhood Tasking Teams, funded through additional neighbourhood policing investment, represent one response, but the scale of the problem demands sustained attention.

What Residents Can Do

Police urged the community to continue reporting incidents, even when an immediate response isn't possible. Every report feeds into intelligence systems that shape operational planning and days of action.

Videos from the public, including CCTV, doorbell cams, dash cam or mobile phone footage, are particularly valuable because offenders often conceal their faces when they see police but may be clearly visible in civilian footage.

A Community United

Despite the frustrations aired during the meeting, what emerged clearly was a passionate, knowledgeable community determined to protect what they love. As one attendee noted, the biking community spans the world - walk into any café wearing bike gear, and fellow riders will strike up conversation.

That community spirit, channelled into focused collaboration with police, may prove the most powerful tool in tackling motorcycle theft. The formation of a working group offers hope that this meeting will mark a turning point rather than another missed opportunity.

For Avon and Somerset's motorcyclists, the message is clear: the fight against bike theft continues, and every rider has a role to play - whether through reporting, sharing intelligence, or volunteering to help shape solutions.

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