A budding Team GB cyclist who had £15,000 worth of bikes stolen from a van has been left out of pocket because insurers say the hooded thieves weren’t “violent” enough.
Gabriella McHugh, 17 – part of British Cycling’s development team – was heartbroken after the break-in outside her family’s flat in Clapham, south London.
A neighbour’s CCTV shows the moment two men stole three cutting-edge Pinarello Dogma models which sell for about £5,000 each in the early hours of February 2.
The pair in tracksuits enter the vehicle before shamelessly strolling away with their haul, leaving tyre covers strewn across the quiet residential street shortly after 2am.
Gabriella’s father Matt McHugh said he was stunned when he claimed on his home contents cover from AA Insurance.
In a rejection letter, the firm said: “Having considered your claim, there is no evidence of forced violent entry.
“With this in mind, as per the policy wording, we are unable to provide any cover for your claim.
“We understand that this is not the news you were hoping for.”
The AA, whose operating profits rose by 28 per cent to £245 million in 2025, said it only covered insurance claims from unattended motor vehicles if items are locked in a covered boot or glove compartment and a “forcible violent entry took place”.
Miss McHugh, also known as Gabby, said she had become frightened to cycle around the capital in the wake of the theft, fearing she could be targeted by moped-riding muggers.
Mr McHugh told the Standard: “We have no idea how they got into the van but because we didn’t want to lie to AA Insurance, they refused to pay out.
“We are currently appealing the decision.
“Gabby is very worried about going out on bikes now. She’s pretty tough but is quite frightened if she hears a motorbike behind her.
“If someone comes up to her on a moped, she’s got no chance.”
He said residents have blamed the recent “disastrous” closure of police stations in the area.
Earlier this month, British cycling team manager Tony Poole confronted balaclava-clad robbers wielding a machete who stole a £8,000 bike in nearby Putney.
The pair, dressed in black, arrived on a moped and yanked the locked cycle belonging to Jakroo Handsling Racing from the roof rack of a Volvo XC40.
“Everything seems to have gone downhill in terms of crime,” Mr McHugh suggested.
“Not long ago, there would be local officers who’d immediately know from our CCTV or a description who these offenders are.”
Mr McHugh told the Daily Mail he set about tracking down the stolen bikes.
He sent messages to legitimate dealers around London like Marcus’ Bikes in Balham who called back straight away saying they’d seen one on eBay for £3,800.
Mr McHugh contacted the seller and invited him to an address in Nine Elms, Battersea.
He claims he went to Brixton Police Station to see if some officers could attend, but they “weren’t too bothered”.
At Stockwell, British Transport Police agreed to send two uniformed officers, however, the seller was watching and cancelled by text.
A spokesman from AA Insurance Services said: “When purchasing their home insurance policy, the customer did not declare personal possession of bikes in excess of £2,000.
“Our terms and conditions are clear that claims relating to possessions stolen from vehicles, items need to have been placed in a covered boot or glovebox and there be evidence of forced or violent entry.
“As this wasn’t the case, the claim has been rejected.
“We have advised the customer how to challenge the decision should they wish to do so.”
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