Yogesh Alekari, a 33-year-old biker from Navi Mumbai, set out on a dream journey riding across the world on his $20,000 KTM 390 Adventure. Covering more than 24,000 kilometers across 17 countries, from Nepal and China to Russia, Finland, and Norway, Alekari faced no trouble, not even a scratch. But when he entered the UK, his adventure turned into a nightmare. Within 20 minutes of parking his bike in Nottingham, thieves made off with his motorcycle, passport, laptop, credit cards, and other valuables. Shockingly, the British police response was minimal simply issuing him a crime reference number and failing to act further. The incident has sparked outrage online, with many Indians pointing out the hypocrisy of Western critics who often brand India as unsafe while ignoring rising lawlessness in their own countries.
A Journey Across Nations Without Fear
For Alekari, this journey was not just about adventure it was about representing India’s spirit of resilience and exploration. Starting his solo trip in May, he covered Nepal, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Finland, and Norway, among others. Everywhere he went, he was welcomed with warmth, hospitality, and respect. His bike was more than a vehicle; it was his home, carrying his essentials across borders. Despite the challenges of crossing difficult terrains and uncertain climates, Alekari never faced theft or violence in any of these nations. Ironically, his troubles began only in a country that often projects itself as a global model of law and order the United Kingdom.
The Nottingham Theft: A Heartbreaking Moment
On August 28, Alekari parked his fully loaded KTM 390 Adventure at Wollaton Park in Nottingham while stopping for breakfast. When he returned just 20 minutes later, his world came crashing down the bike was gone, along with his laptop, camera, money, passport, and travel gear. Eyewitnesses recorded the theft on their mobile phones, showing thieves breaking the lock with a hammer, fixing a fake number plate, and confidently driving away. Despite having this clear evidence, Alekari says the UK police were unresponsive. “I was given just a crime number. I waited for hours, but no one came. In India, if this happened to a foreigner, the entire police machinery would have swung into action,” he told the BBC.
“India is Safer Than the UK”: Alekari’s Message
Devastated, Alekari took to Instagram to share his ordeal with his 180,000 followers. “UK police failed to control theft crimes in this country. India is the safest place to travel. We never even lock our wheels in India, and that’s the success of our police system. I miss Mumbai Police,” he wrote. His words struck a chord with many Indians who pointed out that while Western media is quick to highlight isolated crimes in India, they remain silent about such incidents in their own countries. Even Kelvin MacKenzie, UK broadcaster and founder of talkSPORT, called it a “shame” that a tourist lost everything in Nottingham due to rising thefts.
British Police Helpless, Indian Spirit Unbroken
Nottinghamshire Police later issued a statement claiming they were conducting local inquiries but admitted they had made no breakthrough. For Alekari, however, the experience was disillusioning. “It was my soul, my passion, my home. Everything has been stolen. If this had happened to a foreigner in India, the police and government would have ensured justice,” he said. He is now in London, receiving emergency travel documents from the Indian High Commission, though his journey stands interrupted. Still, Alekari’s resilience as an Indian traveler shines through.
A Lesson in Safety and Perception
The theft of Yogesh Alekari’s bike in the UK is not just a personal tragedy it exposes the gap between perception and reality. India is often unfairly maligned as unsafe, yet this case proves otherwise. A man who rode through 17 countries, including regions considered volatile, was robbed not in Asia, but in Britain. It is a reminder that India’s law enforcement, particularly in cities like Mumbai, has built a robust safety system that even foreigners appreciate. Alekari’s story is both a cautionary tale for travelers and a moment for India showing that the world’s largest democracy is safer than the so-called guardians of the West.