Sparks flew yesterday when a brazen thief tried to steal Labour MP Helen Hayes’ bicycle in broad daylight using a power tool, (Wednesday, June 15).
Helen Hayes, Labour MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, had secured her bike with a D Lock near the Peachy Goat restaurant on Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill.
Fortunately, staff from the vegan restaurant managed to deter the perpetrator, who was caught sawing through the lock on camera by Dulwich Village Labour Councillor Margy Newens.
Having safely recovered her bike minus a broken lock, but still reeling from the attempted theft in her own parliamentary backyard, Hayes tweeted: “This is someone trying to steal my bike with a power tool in Herne Hill yesterday evening.
“Grateful to @margynewens for the photo and to staff at Peachy Goat who twice deterred him from finishing the task.
“Bike owners please be vigilant. Please do get in touch if you have any info.”
A manager at Peachy Goat said staff went outside to “give a bit of presence” which was enough to repel the thief.
With the lock broken, staff reportedly tried to see if they could move the bike inside but the manager said they couldn’t free it from the rack.
Margey Newens tweeted: “A slightly dramatic start to an evening out in Herne Hill yesterday for me and @helenhayes_’ bike!
“Sparks flying in broad daylight. Learning from the evening: Criminals don’t like being photographed in the act and make sure you invest in a good bike lock.”
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Southwark has a problem with bike theft. Between March 2021 to April 2022, thieves stole 1,918 bicycles, a figure only topped by Tower Hamlets, which saw 2,072 bike thefts.
The north of the borough tends to be the hotspot. There were 317 bike thefts in the ward of London Bridge and West Bermondsey, the joint highest in London with Hammersmith Broadway in west London.