I advise your reader from Chislehurst who had her bike stolen not to hold her breath.

In May my husband's motor scooter was stolen from the front drive.

It was reported and we were advised to sign up on the spot for a policeman to stay with it if it was found. We did this and that evening my husband drove round the streets looking for it.

He found it quite nearby and I took his crash helmet round so he could bring it home.

It had the steering lock broken so he couldn't drive it but as he was waiting for me a young man and his girlfriend went to get on it and use a screwdriver to start it.

My husband went to them and the youth hit him with his crash helmet and when my husband wouldn't let go the girl started to punch him.

The youths' mothers came along and did nothing to reprimand the boy but we did get their address and the address and name of the friend who sold it to him.

All of this was given to the police in a statement. We are still awaiting action as the message to these thieves seems to be "carry on, you'll get away with it". And they are.

M Keen Birkbeck Road Beckenham