Tourists shocked as thief uses pliers to steal bike in broad daylight

16 June 2024 , 16:52

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The thief was caught in the act by baffled onlookers (Image: Supplied)

An Edinburgh tour group was left gobsmacked as they witnessed a brazen thief using pliers to nick a bike in broad daylight.

The audacious theft took place around 12.45pm on Sunday at Hunter Square. City tour guide, Almut Echtler, was leading her group when the shocking incident unfolded before their eyes. She expressed their collective disbelief at the thief's boldness.

Almut said: "I witnessed a bicycle theft at 12.45pm, and just wanted to put it out there in case anyone has seen the guy, or sees the bike for sale online, or is the owner of the stolen bike.

The incident was seen in Hunter Square at around 12.45pm (Supplied)

"I am a tour guide and was taking my group through Hunter Square when I noticed someone going at a bicycle lock with a massive pair of pliers. I asked them if it was theirs but they continued frantically and eventually got it cut and went off," reports Edinburgh Live.

"Members of the tour group took photos and a video. I was baffled at the audacity of stealing a bike in broad daylight in front of lots of people and in hindsight wish I had just grabbed onto the bike."

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This incident comes hot on the heels of stats revealing that bike thieves in Edinburgh are getting away scot-free. Police Scotland failed to solve nine out of 10 bike thefts in the last three years. Despite a whopping 14,000 cases being reported during this period, the detection rates remain shockingly low, as revealed in a freedom of information request.

In Edinburgh, a staggering 4022 thefts were reported from January 2020 through to December 2022; however, only a minuscule eight per cent of these crimes have been 'detected', signifying that there was an adequate basis for legal action.

A representative for Police Scotland said: "Around 3.20pm on Sunday, 16 June, 2024, we received a report that a bike had been stolen from Hunter Square, Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing."

Lee Dalgetty