Bike theft hero Christian Wolmar is victim of cycle thieves in Crayford Road
Published: 14th January, 2011
by TERRY MESSENGER
JUST weeks after being hailed a have-a-go hero when he bravely pursued a thief attempting to steal a bike, writer Christian Wolmar’s own expensive cycle – a birthday gift from his children – has been snatched.
The author’s dream £900 Claud Butler model was taken from outside his home in Crayford Road, Holloway on Tuesday evening.
Shortly before Christmas, Mr Wolmar featured in the Tribune after he recovered a stolen bike for another victim, after chasing the thief on to an estate in King’s Cross.
He had spotted the bike being stolen from a rack at Russell Square tube station in Bloomsbury and followed the thief on his own cycle while he kept police informed on his mobile phone.
He followed the culprit to Northdown Street as police arrived, frightening the thief off.
Mr Wolmar, 61, an acclaimed writer on railways, said: “It’s enough to make you think there’s no such thing as good karma – it certainly seems like a poetic injustice.
“I lent my expensive lock to my daughter and promised her I’d be extra careful with the Claud Butler.
“I thought it would be safe outside my home – locked up with a cheap lock for a short time – but there must be people wandering around with bolt cutters looking for opportunities. It was my stupid fault.”
Mr Wolmar’s children, Molly, 31, Pascoe, 26, and Misha 21, gave him the bike, which has blue and white drop handlebars, for his 60th birthday.
“I don’t have many treasured items but this was certainly one of them,” said Mr Wolmar. “There’s not very many of this model around and if someone gets offered it cheap, or sees it lying around, I’d be very grateful if they’d let me know. Us bike owners should stick together and if we see people acting suspiciously around bike racks, we should challenge them.”
Anyone with information about the bike is urged to contact Mr Wolmar on 07931 504555.