Thieves snatch Alastair Campbell's bike

Published: 27th January, 2011
by DAN CARRIER

THE normal route to recovering stolen bikes is a mixture of posters on lampposts, a forlorn call to the local cop shop, and perhaps a word in the ears of a few dodgy characters in your street corner boozer.

But using the tools of his trade, former Downing Street press chief Alastair Campbell revealed the theft of two hand-built racing bicycles, worth around £5,000 between them, via the New Journal and a mention on Twitter.

A shed to the side of his home in Estelle Road, Gospel Oak, was targeted by thieves on Monday night.

The bikes, one used by Campbell, the other by his eldest son Rory, were custom-built for their regular charity rides in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Regular New Journal reader Mr Campbell said he believed those responsible for the thefts knew what they were looking for.

“We did not hear a thing, but they kicked in a well-locked side door,” said Mr Campbell. “And there were two old bikes they clambered over to get to the pair they stole.”

Mr Campbell has cycled tens of thousands of miles on his bike which was made by Chigwell-based firm Tri and Run. He believes the culprits may have spotted the pricey cycles as he put away another bike he uses on a daily basis on Monday evening.

“I normally keep my main bike in the house but for some reason that night I tried to put it round the back,” said Mr Campbell. “But my partner Fiona’s bike was in the way, so I didn’t bother – and I suspect whoever nicked them must have seen me go down the side then. I suspect they knew what they were after, as the bikes were hanging on special racks on the wall at the back.”

Mr Campbell said he hopes the thief will return them, or someone will come clean if they are offered them for sale – they are adorned with the charity’s logo, and both his own and his son’s names. 

He added: “I’d really like it back. If someone reads the New Journal and knows about it, can they drop it in to the office, no questions asked? I use it to raise some good money for charity, and it has been crucial to my fundraising efforts.”