A barrister whose bike was stolen from outside court says it would be quicker to buy it back off Facebook - where it appears to be advertised for sale - rather than wait for police to investigate.
Mark Kellet was working at Manchester Crown Court, at Crown Square, when his Trek Checkpoint AL4 road bike was stolen.
The thief managed to cut through a solid Abus Diamond lock to gain access to the bike, which Mark uses to commute and for leisure.
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The barrister reported the incident to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
He says he has shown them a Facebook Marketplace advert which appears to show his bike for sale.
Mark said the force has been slow to respond and he is sceptical as to whether his bike will be recovered.
It took 18 days for a police officer to call Mark to tell him they were investigating the theft, he says.
When he complained about the slow response, he says he was told an inspector would be in touch.
"If they are allocating inspectors to look at complaints about doing nothing before PCs are getting round to investigating, there’s something wrong," Mark said.
The bike was stolen on Thursday, September 30 some time between 11.30am and 4pm.
"The lock was there and it had two straight cuts to it. The bike was gone," Mark added.
"I reported it stolen in the early hours of the next day via GMP’s website.
"The next day I got a call from a civilian support worker saying an officer would be in touch."
The following Thursday, October 7, Mark was at Minshull Street Crown Court talking to a colleague about the theft.
"A member of their staff very quickly found it for sale on Facebook Marketplace," he added.
"I know it’s my bike because it has clips on the handlebars and seat, clips for a saddlebag and a mudguard."
Mark said the advert clearly shows who is advertising the bike - and that he called GMP to let them know.
He called again the following day to tell them it was still for sale, he added.
"Nothing had happened because the case had not been allocated to an officer," Mark said.
"The bike was still for sale. And the seller was selling six other bikes at the time.
"Even if that person hadn’t stolen the bike, they were handling stolen goods."
Mark says he made a complaint to the force on Saturday, October 10. The following day, another civilian officer rang him to confirm that the case had been allocated to a police officer, he added.
The following Wednesday, he contacted GMP again as the bike was still for sale on Facebook.
He says he as told that the officer allocated to his case was off duty until this Monday October 18.
Mark says he was also told an inspector would be in touch to discuss the speed at which the case was being progressed.
"It would be easier to just allocate a constable to the case," he says.
"If I look on Facebook Marketplace now, it will still be for sale there.
"It was stolen outside crown court with an angle grinder or a saw because you need a power tool to get through that lock. It’s how brazen the original theft is.”
The bike cost around £1,250 new when Mark purchased it 16 months ago. The same model now costs around £1,575.
The bike he believes to be his is being advertised on Facebook Marketplace for £350 - the same price as his insurance excess to replace the vehicle.
The barrister says it’s ironic it would be quicker for him to buy it back from the thief rather than wait for GMP to investigate.
A sergeant called Mark on Monday to say they are looking into the theft, he said.
"I have to say, I am somewhat sceptical," he says.
Greater Manchester Police has not responded to the Manchester Evening News' request for comment.
