Motorbike wheeled off driveway in Heston in daylight theft

A motorbike was taken from a driveway in Heston on Sunday 11 October, at around 5.15pm while it was still light.

Footage shared with UB1UB2 shows a person in a dark hooded jacket and a face covering walking onto the drive from the pavement. They kick up the stand, wheel the bike backwards off the drive and push it away down the street.

The person who shared the footage said the bike was gone within seconds. The bike is white, blue and red with a black top box on the back.

The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed any details of the theft, and no arrests have been announced. The exact street has not been made public.

Appeal for sightings

Residents in Heston and nearby are asked to look out for a white, blue and red motorbike with a black top box, which may have been seen in the area since Sunday evening.

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A common problem across London

Thefts of motorbikes, mopeds and scooters have long worried London police. The Metropolitan Police have said that more than 9,000 such bikes were stolen in the capital in a single year, and the force has run campaigns against the crime.

In its crime prevention advice, the Met warns that thieves often break the steering lock and simply wheel a bike away, as the footage from Heston appears to show. The force tells owners never to rely on the steering lock alone.

The Met suggests a disc lock on the front brake disc, or a grip lock on the brake and throttle. A D lock on the front wheel can stop a bike being wheeled away.

It also advises putting a chain lock through the back wheel, because the front wheel can be taken off. The chain should be pulled tight to something that cannot be moved, such as a ground anchor, so it cannot be cut with an angle grinder while lying on the ground.

The police say thieves often look for particular models, so a cover can make a bike less attractive to them. Owners should always take the ignition keys out, even if they are only away for a few minutes. An alarm can also put thieves off.

At home, the Met says a garage or shed is the best place to keep a bike, ideally with a ground anchor fitted. Motorcycle lockers for home use are also available. For owners in Heston who park on an open drive, a ground anchor and a tight chain are the most practical extra protection.