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It is a known tactic for thieves to place their own lock on an unattended bicycle, hoping the owner will leave the bike overnight or abandon it, allowing the thief to return later and steal it at their convenience. There have been reports of this happening in Lancaster recently. How the Tactic Works Thieves use this method for two main reasons: Encourage Abandonment: They hope the owner will assume their lock is broken or lost and leave the bike secured by the thief's lock. The thief then returns later, unlocks their own lock, and takes the bike without drawing suspicion.Reduced Risk: By forcing the owner to leave the bike, the thief avoids cutting the lock in broad daylight with witnesses around. They can wait until the dead of night when fewer people are present. What to Do If Your Bike Is Locked with a Stranger's Chain If you return to your bike and find it secured with an unfamiliar lock alongside your own, follow these steps: Do Not Leave Your Bike: Wait with your bike or bring it with you if possible. Leaving it unattended plays into the thief's plan.Contact the Police: Report the incident to the local police. Explain the situation and ask for advice or assistance.Prove Ownership: Be ready with proof of ownership (e.g., receipt, serial number, registration details with schemes like BikeRegister) to demonstrate the bike is yours if the police are involved. Prevention Tips Use a high-quality, sturdy lock (or two different types of locks) to make your bike a less attractive target in the first place. Sold Secure is a catalogue for approved & rated bicycle security products.Lock your bike in a well-lit, busy area covered by CCTV if possible.Ensure your lock is taut and off the ground to prevent thieves from using the ground for leverage to smash it.Register your bike's serial number with a national database like BikeRegister. | 
