A TikTok channel has been set up purporting to show stolen bikes alongside slogans such as “steal or starve” and “I’ve got ye whip”.
The “runny.dingers.tc” account appeared a week ago with a clip called “#dingersornothing - #lockitstilllooseit” (SIC) and since then had uploaded two further videos four days ago called "Steal or starve thats how r boys r raised” and “6 peds 1 night light work got 3 radios” with "peds" appearing to be short for "pedal bike".
The first upload featured footage of a youth running towards what appears to be a bungalow in Castlefields, Runcorn, followed by someone holding a metal bat with the caption “I’ll make ye chin go for a home run ini” and someone tapping what appears to be a knife on the arm of a couch, as well as a shot that appears to be filmed from a moving bike with the phrase “3 man up on a robbed ped” on the sceen.
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In “Steal or starve thats how r boys r raised”, the footage showed a series of red or orange Voodoo and Specialized mountain bikes, a pair of bolt cutters dubbed “new bolties”, and a pair of eyes looking at the camera from behind a black cap and face covering. The third video “6 peds 1 night light work got 3 radios” showed what appear to be red or orange Specialized mountain bikes with the caption “got the Specialised graft in” on screen.
The clips have been viewed more than 12,000 times between them, garnering several hundred likes.
Police said they were "aware of" the account, as officers issued a statement regarding an ongoing investigation into bicycle thefts in Runcorn following an increase in reports.
These include a burglary on Friday in which six mountain bikes and tools were reported to have been stolen from The Bridge School in Astmoor.
Pictures of two of the stolen bikes on the school’s Facebook page showed them to be red or orange Specialized mountain bikes.
The Bridge School posted: “The whole school community has been left devastated and we would like to appeal to anyone who may know anything to contact the police quoting the crime number IML1423221.
“It is really frustrating and disheartening to our learners who take part in outdoor education and use the mountain bikes to enjoy trips to Wales / Delamere forest etc and unfortunately this will no longer be able to take place for the foreseeable future.”
A school spokeswoman updated the ECHO on Wednesday to say police had located and returned five of the six bikes.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman told the ECHO the force was aware of a “recent increase” in bike thefts in Runcorn and officers “are working hard to tackle the issue”.
She said police had received about 10 reports of bike thefts in the area over the last month, including the incident at The Bridge School, where six Specialized-brand bikes “described as orange with black handle bars” were reported stolen.
While the investigation is under way, cyclists have been advised to take security measures to protect their property.
Police have also dismissed a rumour over a specific address being used to store stolen bikes.
The spokeswoman said: “We are currently following a number of lines of enquiry, including CCTV footage, and we are also aware of a TikTok channel purporting to be the offenders.
“As part of our investigation, we have also visited an address which was rumoured to be linked to the thefts.
“We can confirm this is not the case.
“While our investigation is ongoing, and with many children likely to receive bikes this Christmas, we are urging residents to ensure that they keep their bikes secure at all times.
“There are several ways to make life difficult for thieves for all budgets, from getting the bike marked and registered, through to acquiring CCTV or doorbell cameras or secure bike sheds.
“Just double-locking your bike, including at least one that is a D-lock, will make the bike less desirable for thieves.
“You can also lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand - secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.”
Chief Inspector Andy Blizard said: “Burglaries are an upsetting crime to deal with at any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas.
“While we continue to crackdown on those who commit theft and burglary, we would also urge you to stay vigilant and use our advice and guidance to help prevent burglary in your neighbourhood.
“You can help us too by reporting suspicious behaviour in your area.
“By working together, we can make life difficult for thieves and make Cheshire a no-go area for criminals.”
Anyone with any information in relation to the thefts should contact us on 101 or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us .
Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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