In 1977 or 8, I had my first decent bike stolen. A Dawes ... I still look out for it.
Similar story here. I used to commute from Stoke Newington to Soho on my 10-speed Dawes. One day I got rammed into a kerb by a taxi. Bike was okay, but my back was out. Hobbled to work & locked the bike to a handy banister in the lobby of the building where I worked - out of sight from the street (but no receptionist - they were on the 1st floor). Every day for two weeks, while my back was recovering, I'd come into the lobby, nod hello to my bike, and walk up the stairs. One morning I came in, nodded to the bike, started up the stairs, then realised the bike wasn't there.
Company called the cops. They actually turned up quite quickly. Found that the thief had left behind bolt cutters worth more than the bike. I asked the cops if I could keep them. But apparently you're not allowed to hang on to 'evidence'. Never heard another thing about it. Insurance had run out a month before & I'd forgotten to renew.