News / Crime
Video of attempted motorbike theft goes viral
A video of three people using a hammer to try to steal a motorbike in broad daylight has gone viral.
The attempted theft of the bike was caught on camera in Berkeley Square in Clifton, which in 2021 was named as the most expensive road in Bristol.
Brave members of the public confronted the trio before they headed off empty-handed on their own bike with no number plate towards the Clifton Triangle, chased by a man wielding a fire extinguisher.
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After being confronted by a woman, one of the group immediately jumps on their bike ready to leave, but then another of the men wearing balaclavas grabs the hammer back off him before having another attempt at breaking the bike lock.
The same would-be thief then squares up to a male bystander before once again having a go at the lock, then handing the hammer to one of his accomplices and pushing him towards the bike they are trying to steal from one corner of the square as the woman continues to shout loudly for the police.
He then tries to knock the phone from the male bystander’s hand as the woman appears to shout: “What the fuck are you doing? Go on, fuck off!”
The trio then jump on their bike to leave and exit, pursued by the man waving a fire extinguisher.
Twitter user @stephenmaggs8 first uploaded the video at 2.06pm on Wednesday. Soon after 8pm, it had received almost half a million views and had also been shared widely on TikTok.
“Fair play to the woman who plucked up courage to challenge them,” one user on Twitter wrote.
“Kids that ain’t a clue,” another person wrote. “Trying to be the big man but still scared of nan.”
Other people were full of praise not just for the woman who confronted the would-be thieves but for the strength of the lock that survived dozens of blows.
Avon & Somerset police have been asked for comment.
Main photo: @stephenmaggs8 / Twitter
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- These are the 12 most expensive roads in Bristol
- Stolen bike tracked down by online sleuthing and quick-thinking
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- Alleged bike thief charged with dozens of offences
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