Hundreds of cyclists are expected to take part in a protest in Regent’s Park as “machete-wielding thieves” continue to steal bikes. Cyclists have been pushed to the ground and threatened on the Outer Circle of the famous park, which is used by more than 30 cycling clubs.
A joint protest between bike activists BikeStormz, Fixed Pirates Crew and Critical Mass London is expected to take place for the first time, Westminster Extra reports. In a post on their Instagram story, Critical Mass London called for “wheels up, knives down, thieves out”.
The group, which hosts a monthly ride from Waterloo station on the last Friday of every month starting at the South Bank, also plans to pay its respects to two cyclists who were stabbed to death. In 2015, schoolboy Alan Cartwright, 15, was killed in seven seven-second street attack by a bike thief trying to take his bike from him.
Critical Mass wrote: “On the 10th anniversary of this terrible crime some riders from Critical Mass would like to revisit the Caledonian Road tonight to offer our condolences again to Alan’s friends and family. “Afterwards, we would like to go and visit Holloway Road as a mark of respect for Mohamed Abdi Noor aka Blanco from the Fixed Pirates Crew, who was killed in a knife attack in December 2023.
“Blanco was only 21 years old and had attended several CM rides before his murder. Riders from the Pirates regularly attend CM. “Finally, some CM riders would like to go to the Outer Circle of Regent’s Park this month to show solidarity against bike theft and reclaim the space.
“Machete-wielding thieves have been targeting cyclists at Regent’s Park. Multiple bikes stolen, cyclists pushed to the ground. Police response? Nothing. “People have abandoned their daily rides out of fear. No other families should have to experiences the same trauma as Alan’s and Blanco’s.”.
Sanchez Tate, 18, had stabbed 21-year-old Mohamed Abdi Noor to death after blaming him for knocking over his motorbike in north London. Cyclists have been calling on police to patrol Regent’s Park earlier in the day after a spate of violent robberies left them feeling like “sitting ducks”.
Riders have been threatened with hammers as thieves target bikes which can cost thousands of pounds. Assailants are forcing victims off their expensive bikes, while others had sharp objects thrown under their wheels to cause punctures. Cyclists have been calling for the Met Police to patrol Regent’s Park early in the morning to help stop the thefts, but the force has responded by saying it cannot start before 8am.
The Met Police has insisted it is working hard to stop the thefts and has been patrolling hotspot locations. Chief Inspector John Hine, from the Royal Parks unit, told the Standard: “We have been working hard to curb bike thefts in and around Regents Park including patrolling hotspot locations.
“In particular since January, we have stood up additional plain clothes and uniform officers, especially at night and before the park officially opens in the early hours of the morning. “This is a key priority for the team, and given the violence used in these attacks, we will continue to ensure that we do all we can to put a stop to these crimes.”.
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