January 2020 Crime Prevention Blog

Happy New Year! For my first blog of 2020, I want you to consider the security of your bikes.

Many of you will have given or received a fabulous new bike at Christmas, however, thieves’ love new bikes too, so don’t ever leave your bike, not even for a minute, without them being secured. As a general rule, if you’re not sat on it, secure it!

Follow these tips to help prevent you becoming a victim of bike crime.

• Get a good bike lock, better still two. Ensure that the locks you buy meet the ‘Sold Secure’ Gold standard. You’ll find these quality locks in your local bike shops or on all of the regular bike retailers’ websites. Have a read of the various reviews. Click soldsecure.com for more information on good quality locks.
• Lock up removable parts (e.g. wheels, saddle) and take light fittings/cycle computers with you.
• Have your bike's frame security-marked or engraved. We often offer bike marking events across the force area using our Dot Peen marking equipment. It marks the frame with your postcode and house number. Keep an eye on your local neighbourhood policing page on Facebook for these events.
• Take a photograph of your bike and record its description, including any unique marks or features. Register the frame number (normally found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in) on Https://www.bikeregister.com  
• When you leave your bike, leave it where the thief can be seen. In your garden or in the shed, it should be locked to something substantial, or in the case of the shed , a ladder or steps, the lawnmower etc. If there is nothing to lock it to, make sure you put your locks through the frame and a wheel to disable it. Make the locks and bike hard to manoeuvre. Consider a ground anchor, which secures to the floor or fabric of the building, which you can secure your bike to.

And finally!

Don't buy a stolen second-hand bike. Insist on proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on the Bike Checker at www.bikeregister.com

If your bike has been stolen, contact the police. Give them your frame number, BikeRegister number, photo and any other details and register your bike as stolen on BikeRegister.

Lock it or lose it!

If you have any information about a crime, contact the police on 101 or you can call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Gerry McBride
Crime Prevention Officer
Cleveland Police