'Brazen' thief steals juror's bike from outside Reading court

The suspected thief can be seen taking the bike from the racks in front of the court

James Aldridge

By James Aldridge

The thief was spotted in the act but got away. Credit: UGC

A brazen thief stole a juror's bike from outside a Reading court in the middle of the afternoon.

Ryan Harvey's bike had been locked up opposite Reading Crown Court but the presence of the judges serving up justice to criminals across the road was no deterrent to the thief who made off with the bike at around 3.30pm on Tuesday, September 25.

Mr Harvey, 23, of Waverley Road, Reading, Berkshire, had been cycling to the court for jury service each day.

He said: "It was very very brazen.

"You'd have to have a lot of audacity to steal something from there but clearly he does.

"I don't understand why he robbed my bike, it's not the most expensive and it's not in very good condition.

"The back brakes don't work, so who knows, maybe he'll crash into something?"

He added: "It was locked up outside with a standard bike lock.

"When I finished around 4pm I looked out but couldn't see it.

"As I was standing there a lady came out and I questioned where my bike had gone.

"She said she had just witnessed someone steal it."

According to Mr Harvey, the woman was able to take photos, and had sent someone to catch the thief, but he managed to escape.

He said: "It was pretty vital to get to and from jury service.

"Because it's in Reading I thought I'd cycle, do the world a favour and save some fuel. Then that happened."

Mr Harvey described the bike as a black mountain bike, but is unaware of the make or model.

He said: "It was my Dad's bike and he gave it to me, so it has a little bit of sentimental value.

"I'm more shocked that they don't have any CCTV outside court, that's what's shocking really, I thought it would be on camera. "

The theft has been reported to Thames Valley Police.

Anyone who witnessed the theft, or has information relating to this case, please call 101, quoting 43180293233.

Police data shows a total of 6,882 bikes were recorded as stolen by Thames Valley Police in 2017/18, which equates to 19 bikes on average a day.