Less than three percent of reported bike thefts in Norfolk resulted in someone being charged last year.
Norfolk saw a rise in bike thefts as cycling increased in pandemic but the vast majority of stolen bikes are going unpunished.
New data from the Home Office shows 917 thefts were reported in Norfolk in the year to March 2023 – with just 22 resulting in a charge or summons to court.
In addition, no suspect was identified in almost 75pc of cases, and 19.5pc were dropped because of evidential difficulties.
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Keir Gallagher, of Cycling UK charity, said the "scourge" of bike theft will carry on until criminals "believe there is a genuine risk of being caught".
He said: “While we acknowledge the limitations on police resources, with more than half of stolen bikes being sold online, there is clearly scope for improved targeting of online marketplaces to identify and prosecute serial offenders and organised criminals.”
Figures show Norwich East as the area targeted most by bike thieves. Other hot spots are Great Yarmouth, Kings Lynn North and Gaywood.
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