'Untouchable' teen motorbike thieves mocking victims on TikTok

The BBC sent freedom of information requests to 45 UK police forces. Of the 31 comparable responses received, there were 9,581 recorded offences of a motorbike being stolen. Police only recorded an age for 1,812 suspects. Of these, 965, or 53%, were under the age of 18.

In comparison, across all crime in England and Wales in the most recent year of data, only 8% of arrests were of people under 18.

Dr Ken German, of the UK's Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group, advises the government and industry.

"It's all a game," he says of the teenage thieves.

"They want to do it in the quickest time, they want to wave and take pictures of themselves, which is why they're on TikTok.

"They know that they can make one or two hundred pounds, but in essence they are playing with each other and competing with each other."

Kenny Wilson, from County Durham, runs the Bikers against Bike Theft UK campaign group.

He says frustrations are running high and, despite strongly advising bike owners not to take a vigilante approach, fears some will "snap and say enough's enough".

He describes being told of one potential vigilante response when a man reportedly had his fingers "severely damaged" after stolen motorbikes were found in his back garden.

The BBC understands an 18-year-old man, who was questioned by police about stolen bikes in North Yorkshire, had to have treatment in hospital for hand injuries. Two men were arrested on suspicion of assault.

Thieves stole two motorcycles and attempted to take a third from the driveway of Sam Gibb's home in Grimsby in September 2025.

One of the bikes – her son's "pride and joy" – was worth more than £6,000.

"His whole life is that bike," says Gibb. "It still had over £3,000 of outstanding finance left to pay on it."

She is one of several victims who say they have carried out their own investigations.

"We aren't getting help. They are just running amok," she says. "The police weren't doing the investigating."

Gibb discovered her son's bike had been sold for £300 on Snapchat.

"He's still got a £3,000 bill and they've sold it for 10 times less than that."

Humberside Police says a 17-year-old boy was not charged in connection with the case, but did go through a youth justice process, which can involve a warning or caution.

Snapchat has not responded to a request for comment.

Humberside Police is increasing resources to deal with motorcycle crime and has recruited four full-time officers in northern Lincolnshire.

They are armed with drones with thermal capabilities to track vehicles at speed and spot hidden bikes.

All 21 arrests relating to motorcycle theft in Grimsby in 2025 involved teenagers aged 18 or under.

Insp Pete Musgrave says he is aware of social media being used to "glorify" thefts and understands the frustration of victims.

He is urging people to pass on information to police.

"Whether they're an 11 or 12-year-old on a bike, or they're a 25-year-old on a bike, we will deal with them," he adds.

The National Police Chiefs' Council says a crackdown in October 2025, called Operation Alliances, resulted in more than 580 arrests, the recovery of about £4m of stolen vehicles, 260 property searches and the uncovering of illegal chop shops.

A spokesperson says forces "are making strides in tackling the offenders", but the "ultimate goal" is prevention.

Ofcom says social media platforms "must assess and mitigate the risk of UK users encountering criminal content" and it will "make sure sites and apps are taking appropriate steps to do this".

TikTok says it has removed some user accounts and "taken action" against search terms violating its community guidelines.

The company says it "proactively removes" videos for violating its policies on "violent or criminal behaviour" before they are reported to the platform.

Data journalism by Alice Evans and Jonathan Fagg.

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