FWIW, the London police was weirdly keen on finding my bike that was stolen with an airtag on it. Sent patrol several time over several weeks to chase after the thief. Not even in hope to unravel some big bike-stealing operation (they found it repainted and resold at a shop and didn't pursue further), just... keen, to my own great surprise.

Would recommend airtagging: even if you aren't as lucky as I was, at least you'll have the reassurance of knowing you did what you could.