Like this site? Help us to make it better.
A school in Runcorn, Cheshire, has been “left devastated” after a new TikTok account – created, it seems, to document and glorify bike thefts in the area – appeared to gloat about stealing six mountain bikes used by the school’s pupils on trips.
The //www.tiktok.com/ [at] runny.dingers.tc” target=”_blank”>‘runny.dingers.tc’ account appeared on the popular social media platform around two weeks ago, and features a profile photo depicting a cartoon thief stealing a motorbike and slogans such as “I’ve got ye whip” and “I’ll take ye mars purse n ye dads bike” [sic].
The channel, which has attracted almost 600 ‘likes’ and over 10,000 views, has since uploaded a range of videos – which now seem to have been removed – appearing to show a group of thieves stealing bikes (described by the account as “peds”) as well as radios and tools.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the first clip, titled “#dingersornothing – #lockitstilllooseit”, features a shot which appears to be filmed by someone on a bike, and includes the caption, “3 man up on a robbed ped”. The video also seems to show the thieves holding knives and metal bats.
Another video, “Steal or starve thats how r boys r raised”, shows a series of red and orange Specialized and Voodoo mountain bikes and a pair of bolt cutters described as “new bolties”, as well as the black cap and balaclava-covered face of one of the thieves.
A third clip called “6 peds 1 night light work got 3 radios” shows a number of Specialized mountain bikes alongside the caption: “There’s the peds all fresh. Got the Specialised graft in.”
On Friday 25 November, The Bridge School in Runcorn, a pupil referral unit for children who aren’t able to attend a mainstream school, reported that six of its Specialized mountain bikes, along with an assortment of tools, were stolen.
The bikes, which appear on the school’s website and match those featured on the TikTok account’s videos, are owned by the school to be used by pupils as part of trips to Wales or the Delamere Forest.
In a Facebook post, which also featured images of the stolen bikes, the school wrote: “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.”
However, an update on Wednesday confirmed that five of the six stolen bikes had been recovered by police, with the school announcing that “our learners once again will be able to go and enjoy bike rides with staff.”
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesperson told the Liverpool Echo that officers are aware of “a recent increase” in bike thefts in Runcorn – 10 stolen bikes, including those from the Bridge School, have been reported in the past month – and that they “are working hard to tackle the issue”.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
“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.”
Anyone with information related to the thefts is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or by visiting the police’s website. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99.
If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.
If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.
Ryan joined road.cc as a news writer in December 2021. He has written about cycling and some ball-centric sports for various websites, newspapers, magazines and radio. Before returning to writing about cycling full-time, he completed a PhD in History and published a book and numerous academic articles on religion and politics in Victorian Britain and Ireland (though he remained committed to boring his university colleagues and students with endless cycling trivia). He can be found riding his bike very slowly through the Dromara Hills of Co. Down.
“Also, “Professional” drivers should be held accountable to higher standards and regularly retested against those standards.” This.
Locks are to bicycle theft as helmets are to cyclist injuries. Pretty much useless, only good for reducing blame on the victim and providing…
Really useful prize!!
Or are any of the big teams nervous about basing the 3 most important weeks of their season around a 37 year old sprinter who is just as likely to…
Nottingham City centre, 20 odd years ago, a relatively young, fit, idealistic self riding hard as a bike messenger. Had just bought a Bob Yak bike…
Yeah, the police go after them occasionally here in Derby. The biggest offenders are those wonderful, professional, taxi drivers!
Not to criticise anyone’s ability to maintain their own bikes, but pro’s often won’t need to maintain their own bikes and a lot of people won’t…
Old news! They were doing that in 1933! (Not that pro cycling has anything to fear from me on my SpeedMachine…)…
Love the idea of the Classified system….
I’ve not seen him there but I’ve seen his car parked in Dulwich Park a few times so he probably goes there to cadge a game of tennis. I think you…
Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc
Tech, reviews: tech [at] road.cc
Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc
Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc
View our media pack
Report an advert on road.cc
Subscribe
All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use.