Cyclists Targeted in Violent Regent’s Park Robberies Call for Earlier Police Patrols
Cyclists call for more early police patrols in Regent’s Park as they say they feel like “sitting ducks” after a string of violent early-morning robberies leave many fearing for their safety. Armed thieves, often on motorcycles and mopeds, have been ambushing riders between 5.45am and 7am, brandishing hammers and sharp objects to force them off their bikes. Victims report that expensive bicycles worth thousands are being snatched in broad daylight, while police patrols only begin after 8am.
A surge in attacks over the last few months has left London’s cycling community deeply concerned. On one morning alone last month, three cyclists were robbed in quick succession. The Metropolitan Police’s Royal Parks Operational Command Unit, which is responsible for policing London’s green spaces, is under growing pressure to respond to the rising threat. But with upcoming budget cuts, there are fears the specialist unit could be disbanded entirely—raising further concerns about safety in the park.
“I knew I was in trouble”
Among those targeted is Patrick Conneely, 33, a data analyst who had his £4,200 bicycle stolen in January. He had been meeting friends for a ride when he realised two men on a moped were tailing him.
“I knew I was in trouble, so I turned around and so did they,” he explained. “They told me to ‘get off the f***ing bike’ and pulled out a hammer.”
The police arrived within minutes—but Conneely was their fourth victim of the morning.
Another cyclist, Bethan Lloyd-Glass, 52, was forced off her £8,000 Trek Émonda by two masked men. As she stopped at a red light, the passenger got off, pushed her to the floor, and rode away with her bike.
Police say they cannot patrol earlier
A female cyclist from a local cycling club recently asked whether police could extend their patrols to include the peak risk period between 5.30am and 7am. The response was blunt:
“We understand your concern and frustration. Unfortunately, we are unable to change our working hours.”
While the Metropolitan Police insist they are taking the matter seriously, many feel the current measures are falling short. Chief Inspector John Hine, from the Royal Parks unit, acknowledged the concerns, saying:
“We have been working hard to curb bike thefts in and around Regent’s Park, including patrolling hotspot locations. 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.”
But with over 30 cycling clubs regularly using the park before the roads open to traffic, many argue that more needs to be done to prevent these attacks from happening in the first place.
Are budget cuts to blame?
The situation comes amid growing fears that budget cuts to the Met Police could see the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit dissolved entirely. If this happens, responsibility for patrolling Regent’s Park and other key locations will likely fall to local borough police teams—already stretched thin by rising crime rates across London.
According to a report by London Cycling Campaign, bike thefts in the capital have surged in recent years, with thieves increasingly using violence to intimidate victims. Riders are now advised to take extra precautions, such as riding in groups, avoiding quieter areas in the early hours, and registering their bikes on theft-prevention databases.
For those who rely on cycling in Regent’s Park, however, these warnings don’t offer much comfort. As one cyclist put it:
“You shouldn’t have to feel scared just to ride your bike.”
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[Image Credit: The Student Hub]
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