An elderly person spent a long journey to purchase an e-bike but unfortunately had it stolen within a few minutes.

Brian Westhead, a retired software architect, had been eagerly searching for a particular electric bike for his wife to use on their cycling trips in the Peak District. After months of searching, he finally found one for sale in Bournemouth, 215 miles away from their home in Derbyshire. Without hesitation, Brian hopped on a train and made the journey to purchase the bike for £1,200.

As a devoted cyclist, Brian wanted to ensure that his wife could join him on their uphill rides with the help of an electric bike. So, before heading back home, Brian decided to grab a meal at a seafront cafe to pass the time. He made sure to lock the bike securely with a strong steel cable and even requested a table outside so he could keep an eye on it.

However, in the span of just a few minutes, a thief had managed to break the lock with heavy bolt cutters and ride off with the bike. Brian was shocked when he stepped out of the cafe and realized what had happened. He believes that he must have just missed the thief by a few seconds.

Despite the theft being caught on CCTV, the culprit could not be identified, leaving Brian feeling frustrated and disappointed. He reported the incident to the police on his train journey back home, but it took four days for them to acknowledge it.

The theft had occurred in broad daylight, during the busy holiday season, and in one of the most popular tourist spots in the area. Brian couldn't believe that someone had the audacity to steal his bike in such a crowded and bustling location.

He suspects that the thief had been waiting for an opportunity to strike and had the necessary tools to break the lock. Brian believes that this was not just an act of opportunity, but rather a well-planned and executed theft.

Sadly, Brian's trip to Bournemouth ended up costing him £1,200 and a bitter taste in his mouth. He never expected something like this to happen in such a scenic and popular destination. He wants to warn others about the dangers of leaving their bikes unattended, and urges them to use heavy-duty locks to prevent similar incidents from happening.

Dorset Police have confirmed that they are investigating the theft and have not made any arrests yet. Brian's experience serves as a reminder to always be vigilant and cautious, even in seemingly safe and busy places.

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