It seems that an E-bike is stolen almost every week from the guarded bicycle shed at Castricum station. Entrance gates and camera surveillance do not deter thieves. NS’s advice: “Use a second lock.”
How can thieves strike so often and easily in a guarded bicycle shed? It is a question that comes up a lot in the Facebook group ‘you are Castricummer as’. Reports of theft appear there almost every week. The thieves seem to mainly target expensive E-bikes and bicycle computers.
“Has anyone seen anything?” Tjeerd asked in the group almost a week ago. In the call he shares a photo of his electric bicycle. “Stolen in broad daylight from the secure storage of Castricum station.”
Double bad luck
“Our friends’ E-bikes were stolen from this so-called guarded storage facility. They were secured to a steel post with extra locks. We took the train to Harderwijk for a day. A heavy damper on our enjoyment,” Hans shares.
“My new E-bike with two locks on it was also stolen under the eye of a camera,” Herma writes. “The police do nothing, so the thieves can go about their business undisturbed.”
“The lock had been cut. Report made, but the police do nothing”
Klazina’s son’s bicycle computer was stolen from the garage two months ago. “Then you think your bicycle is safe. Keep your paws off other people’s things.” That same evening, Ben’s electric bicycle is stolen. “The lock had been cut. A report has been made, but the police do nothing, despite the fact that there are cameras.”
Two weeks later, Petri also lost her E-bike. “Our bicycle was locked, but in the evening it was gone and there was only a cut link. Report made. The NS reimburses a small part.”
No employee present
The fact that it is a guarded bicycle shed does not mean that management is always present, the NS regional spokesperson said. “The bicycle shed in Castricum is a self-service bicycle shed. This means that there is camera surveillance in this storage facility. These cameras are linked to the NS Control Room.”
Without insurance, NS will reimburse a maximum amount of 750 euros for bicycle theft. For electric bicycles a maximum of 1,250 euros and for batteries 150 euros.
In addition, the parking facility is closed with access gates and only accessible with an OV chip card, but that does not stop the thieves. “If a suspicious situation is observed, the NS Control Room will immediately contact the police. We always make security images available so that an investigation can be conducted.”
To make it as difficult as possible for thieves, NS advises passengers to use a second lock. “We also recommend – if possible – taking the battery of e-bikes with you.”
Measures
It is a national problem that has been going on for some time. That is why NS is now conducting discussions with municipalities and the police to map out the overall situation. Various measures are being considered, such as raising and narrowing the access gates.
The use of additional supervision does not appear to be an option for the time being. “The police lack the capacity to pay attention to it on a project basis. The local police officer is familiar with the matter and if he has space he sometimes posts about possible thefts.”
Both the NS and the police recommend always reporting theft. Arrests are indeed being made for theft at Castricum station, the police explain. “After filing a report, the images are frequently requested to see whether recognition of the suspect is possible. Bicycles are regularly found and returned.”