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Stolen Brompton Bikes: UK Frame-Number Check (Free, Instant)
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Quick answer
Brompton's stamped frame number is on the bottom bracket shell, on the flat behind the seat tube; a separate ten-digit serial number is on a sticker or plate below the seat, and its first four digits encode the build year and month. Bromptons are one of the most-stolen bikes in UK cities because they fold and re-sell fast, so always run the number through Cyclesite's free lookup before buying.
Where to find a Brompton frame and serial number
The stamped frame number (the identifier stolen-bike databases use) is on the bottom bracket shell, on the flat behind the seat tube. Brompton also assigns a ten-digit serial number, shown on a sticker or plate below the seat, whose first four digits encode the build year and month. Because a sticker can be peeled off, rely on the number stamped into the frame itself.
Why Bromptons are a top theft target
Compact, valuable and instantly portable, Bromptons are stolen and re-sold faster than almost any other bike, especially in London. Brompton can match a serial to its build records, and a genuine owner can usually produce the original receipt or registration. Combine that with a Cyclesite stolen-bike check before paying.
FAQs
- Where is the frame number on a Brompton?
- The stamped frame number is on the bottom bracket shell, on the flat behind the seat tube. A separate ten-digit serial number sits on a sticker or plate below the seat.
- What does a Brompton serial number tell you?
- It is a ten-digit code whose first four digits encode the build year and month (for example, 1903 indicates March 2019). Brompton can match it to their build records.
- Why are Bromptons stolen so often?
- They fold, they are valuable, and they re-sell quickly, which makes them one of the most-targeted bikes in UK cities. Always verify the frame number before buying used.
Police datapolice.uk releases
Most stolen bikes are never traced back to anyone
Police recorded 28,531 bicycle thefts across 44 UK city centres over three years. A suspect was identified in 10.1% of closed cases, and 1 in 33 reached a charge. Pick an area for the local picture.
Jun 23Down 25% in three yearsMay 26
- 8,221
- thefts recorded in 12 months
- −12%
- change on the year before
- 10.1%
- of closed cases had a suspect identified
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