Sharp Rise in Bike Thefts

According to official police statistics, there has been a marked increase in bikes

being stolenin the City of London, and particularly in the West End, in recent months. Between April and August this year, a total of 426 bikes were stolen in the Westminster area alone. This represents a seventy one percent rise on the same period in 2009, when the figure stood at 244. London as a whole has seen a six percent rise in bicycle thefts since last year, with over eighteen thousand bikes being reported stolen since April 2009. This would appear to be part of a continuing trend, as bike theft figures have been rising steadily since 2006. By way of response, the police have been making an increasing number of arrests for bicycle theft, with arrest figures rising by over three hundred percent in the last year. However, in the majority of these cases, the police have been unable to find the owners of these bicycles, which makes prosecution nigh on impossible.

There are a number of reasons why bicycle theft is on the rise. Perhaps the most telling factor is that many more people are using bicycles to get around, partly due to the recession, and partly due to concerns over global warming. This has led to an increase in demand for second hand bikes, which makes them more of a lucrative market for thieves. Also, recent advances in car security, such as engine immobilisers and other electronic security measures, have made cars much more difficult to steal, leading many thieves to look towards easier targets such as bicycles.

Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of bicycle theft, and increase your chances of recovering your bike if it does get stolen. Firstly, you should take a note of the frame number, which is usually found under the seat or around the pedal area, which can help the police to trace your bike back to you in the event that it comes into their possession. Secondly, you should try to keep your bike indoors, in a locked shed, garage, or in your home, as thieves with cutting equipment can easily steal your bike when it is on the street, even if it is chained to railings. Thirdly, if your bike does get stolen, you should report it to the police immediately, as this will help them to trace it, and it will also make it much easier to claim on your home contents insurance policy.

For related advice and information on bikes, visit the British Bike Association website.

Sharp Rise in Bike Thefts

By: Mark Taylor

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