Vertical Markets

Station cycle anti-theft work

by Mark Rowe

Theft of bikes from sheds, schools, streets and stations is a growing trend across the country admit police. In 2013-14, 4,490 bikes were stolen from or damaged at railway railway stations in the South East – an increase of 102, or two per cent, on 2012/13. Tuesday, 9 December saw BTP (British Transport Police) officers are holding cycle surgeries at stations throughout the country, handing out leaflets and crime prevention advice to commuters, as well as offering security-marking for their bikes.

From Bromley to Brighton, and Woking to Waterloo, officers were trying to arrest known bike-theft suspects, marking bikes, or promoting bike-safety at stations. Officers do covert and high-profile operations to catch cycle thieves in the act, working with other police forces to share information and manage offenders. BTP also works at stations with train operators to make it harder for thieves to steal bikes. Checks are also made on online auction and second hand dealer sites, and visits made to markets and shops to see if stolen bikes are being sold on.

BTP Supt Jason Bunyard oversees Operation Wiggins. He said: “Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in passengers using bikes to travel to and from railway stations. Following continued investment in cycle racks and spaces for bikes on trains, events such as the Tour de France, and with people being more conscious of the environment and their health, there has been a huge surge in their popularity.

“Unfortunately, this has also provided increased opportunities for thieves due to bikes being relatively easy to steal and dispose of bikes sadly remain an attractive target for thieves. More bikes stolen will lead to in an increase in insurance claims resulting in higher premiums for everyone.”

Correctly securing a bike using a good quality gold standard lock and ensuring your bike is marked and registered should deter a thief from stealing or attempting to steal it, the BTP says. Police say that most of the 5,318 bikes recorded stolen from the railway network in 2013/14 weren’t secured correctly, or had sub-standard locks.

Supt Bunyard added: “Thieves need to operate quickly to reduce their chances of being caught; having a heavy duty lock makes their job much more difficult and they are more likely to abandon any attempt to steal your bike.

“Its quite surprising that someone would spend over £1,000 on a bike then use a £5 lock to secure it. We would always recommend spending at least 10 per cent of the value of the bike on an appropriate lock. Don’t be tempted in purchasing a bargain bike online, from someone on the street or down the pub, with no questions asked. You could be prosecuted for handling stolen goods and will be landed with a criminal record. Always insist on a proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on Bikeregister.com.”

The thefts took place between July 2012 and December 2013. Many of the stolen bikes were found for sale on auction websites. The bikes had an estimated value of £74,000, and were stolen from railway stations such as Willesden Junction; Richmond; Cricklewood; Twickenham; Paddington; Eden Park; Waterloo; Watford; Watford Junction; Harlesden; St Albans City and Hounslow.

Facts

47 per cent of cycle theft takes place in autumn/winter months;
On average, seven bikes are stolen from train stations across the country every day;
Bikes with cable or chain locks accounted for 73 per cent of thefts;
Only five per cent of bikes using a D-Lock were stolen;
Most thefts take place between 6-7pm; and
Monday is the day when most bikes are stolen – possibly due to being stored at stations over the weekend.

The authorities advise cycle owners to get a bike security marked and register at, pictured, www.Bikeregister.com. Demonstration video on how easy it is for thieves to steal an unsecured bike. View at http://youtu.be/h4PFFQZh_6c

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