Vertical Markets

Bicycle theft is back

by Mark Rowe

Police have hailed how crime fell during lockdown – but would it return once lockdown was lifted? The same, or even worse? Bicycle theft is back, according to BikeRegister, a UK cycle database, after a drop during the months of the COVID-19 lockdown.

BikeRegister reports a rise in bike theft reported to them in June of 48 per cent compared with June 2019. As for 2020 so far:

January – 497 thefts reported to BikeRegister (up 3.1pc on the same month last year)
February – 460 thefts (down 8.4pc)
March – 431 thefts (down 14.8pc)
April – 376 thefts (down 24.5pc)
May – 556 thefts (down 5.5pc)
June – 786 thefts (up 48pc)

Bike Register’s Managing Director James Brown said: “Thieves will have struggled to commit crimes during lockdown due to the restrictions that were in place. However, as these restrictions are starting to ease and people are moving around more, criminals are facing an easier task, and they have the bonus of being able to target the thousands of new bikes bought during the last few months.”

He urged new cyclists to get their cycles registered and security marked as soon as possible. He said: “Registering on BikeRegister means you could be reunited with your bike in the event of it being stolen. Most importantly, to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of cycle theft in the first place, security marking your bike is also recommended, as it is a proven theft deterrent.”

UK police forces use the BikeRegister database to check recovered bikes on, to see if they are reported as stolen. The database is available to them 24/7 via the BikeRegister Police App. Registration is free via the BikeRegister website and the database has 930,000 bicycles.

James Brown also recommended locking cycles to an immovable object or ground anchor in home sheds, garages or at work, using a Sold Secure gold-rated lock. He added: “Some new bike owners who purchased their bikes during lockdown will not necessarily be aware of the recent rise of cycle crime and what measures they need to take to combat it.

“As we move out of lockdown, I would ask all cycle retailers to play their part in helping reduce cycle crime too. They can do this by checking any second-hand bike offered to them on our free BikeChecker service on the website to make sure it has not been reported as stolen. They could also become a stockist of our retail marking kits and encourage each customer to use one to protect their new bike as soon as they have purchased it.”

Comment

The UK police lead for cycle crime, Supt Mark Cleland noted the surge in the purchase and use of bicycles during the pandemic; and as we all exit lockdown there is a risk that criminals will benefit from poor locks and a lack of knowledge of what good cycle security looks like. He said: “However, there are some simple things you can do to protect your pride and joy and prevent yourself from becoming a victim of crime.”

Police tips:

– Register your bike with BikeRegister and mark it
– Record as many details of your bike as possible such as the make and model besides dinks and dents
– Double lock your bike with the best locks you can afford (Gold standard ideally)
– Remove the removable bits when you lock it up
– Park your bike somewhere secure (at home or away).

Related News

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing