CommunitySafe.gov.uk

On Saturday 21st May 2011 at approximately 2305 Dundonald SNT officers arrested two males who had been seen attempting to break the lock on a blue bicycle from the cycle rack opposite Wimbledon Police Station, Queens Road SW19 whilst a third male acted as a lookout. The third male has now also been arrested. Searches of their addresses have recovered the bolt croppers believed used to break the cycle locks and 5 bikes, of which three have been identified as having been stolen locally. Neither of the identified victims knew their bike’s frame number and all had used flexi cable bike locks. According to the British crime survey over two thirds of all cycle thefts within the UK are from peoples houses. The reduction of theft crime is a borough priority and pedal cycles count for a high proportion of these offences, including burglary where bicycles are stolen from sheds or gardens. A bicycle is stolen every 71 seconds in the UK Purchase a quality lock. Strengths of pedal cycle locks vary enormously and you get what you pay for. A pedal cycle lock will deter opportunistic thieves; using more than one lock will make stealing your pedal cycle even harder. When locking your pedal cycle make sure you lock the frame and both wheels to the stand or a strong immovable object. Weak locks are unlikely to deter offenders (cables and coil locks under 10mm are particularly vulnerable to cutting). Many pedal cycles reported stolen are locked inadequately. Locks are not for life. Make sure you keep your security up to date for your pedal cycle. -Always lock your pedal cycle up when leaving it unattended - even if it is only for a few minutes. -Lock pedal cycles through the frame and secure both the wheels, especially if you have quick release wheels. Quick release wheels are not only quick release for the owner but for a opportunistic thief as well making it easier for them to steal your pedal cycle or even just your wheels, so make sure your lock fully secures your wheels. -Remove small parts and accessories from your pedal cycle that can’t be secured, especially lights, pumps and quick release saddles. Frame number Keeping a record of your pedal cycle frame number will greatly increase our chances of identifying it as your stolen bike and reuniting you with it. Make sure you register your pedal cycle frame number on www.immobilise.com. If your bike is distinctive or of high value then it t is also worth taking a photograph of your pedal cycle which can be given to police if your pedal cycle is ever stolen; this is especially worth doing for high value pedal cycles. Immobilise is the National Property Register promoted by Police forces throughout the UK and is the largest service of its type in the world with over 18 million UK subscribers. It is a free service that allows the public to record property ownership by make, model, serial numbers and photos. It is then simple to use the account to inform the UK Police, insurers and the second-hand trade of loss or theft of any registered item Insurance Make sure you get insurance for your pedal cycle. Check if your house insurance already covers your pedal cycle when away from home, and also whether the total value of the pedal cycle is covered. If your pedal cycle is of particular value you may need to insure it separately. Thank you, Sgt Jeff New Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team 0208 721 2450 Dundonald.snt@met.police.uk