A PAIR of brazen thieves have employed a new technique to steal bikes in broad daylight – by playing “dress-up” and disguising themselves as cyclists.
The crafty criminal’s antics were shared to social media on Monday after a bystander clocked them tampering with bikes on Upper Street in Islington, central London.
One appeared to be cutting a lock, reportedly with an angle grinder as his pal watched on – but both wearing cycling helmets in an attempt to lessen the attention they drew.
The bystander, who claimed the police had stated they were “powerless” to do anything, has since been criticised however for not stepping in to confront the thieving duo.
The image shows two blokes standing on the pavement next to the busy main road, both looking like the average city cyclist, wearing helmets and rucksacks.
However, one is hard at work bent over two chained-up bikes and seems to be working on freeing them.
The other stands astride another bike, presumably already pinched.
Images catching the pair in the act were shared to social media on Monday with the caption: “If you dress up in a helmet, you and your mate can help yourselves to some tasty bikes in Islington High Street on a Monday morning.
“The police response was that they are powerless.”
The post has since received a host of likes and comments from outraged Brits sharing their opinions.
One said: “The police need to set up a task force to stamp this out. Right now, it seems the thieves are allowed to operate with impunity.
Another wrote: “Surely there is more CCTV footage that can better profile the two thieves? Surely they are known?
“Upper Street needs secure bike parking. It’s not acceptable to have this happen in the middle of the day. It’s a deterrent to getting to the shops on a bike.”
A third commented: “What I don’t understand with the people who take photos or video, why the f**k are you not stopping them?
“I know the thieving smack head scum won’t be stealing anything for some time.”
Another agreed: “Why didn’t you stop them?”
A fifth added: “Whoa, just as powerless as when you find your bike on [Facebook] Marketplace.”
The Metropolitan Police had no official comment on the incident.
