Bedfordshire Police have issued a warning to residents in Luton and across the county regarding an increase in bicycle and e-bike thefts. Officers report that a number of bikes have been stolen in robberies recently, prompting police to step up patrols in town centres and develop new operations to tackle the issue.
The theft of bikes and e-scooters is now listed as a community priority for Luton Town Centre, where enforcement efforts are supported by the Luton Council and Luton BID through a multi-agency partnership. As part of these efforts, officers seized 47 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in Luton on 11 April 2026. Police remind owners that e-bikes must meet specific criteria, including a maximum 250W motor and a 15.5mph speed limit, to be considered legal without the need for a licence, insurance, or registration.
The force is encouraging residents to take preventative steps to secure their property, such as registering bikes with Project 529. This alert follows data showing that recorded bike thefts have historically been difficult to resolve, with a past study finding that only 0.5 percent of reports in Bedfordshire resulted in a charge.
Residents who wish to speak with officers about local security concerns can attend a community surgery on Wednesday 22 April 2026. The meeting will be held at 13:00 at the parade of shops on Williamson Road, Kempston.
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