Watch out
motorcycle thieves are about!
Motorcycle theft is rising. Not the most upbeat of news, sorry – but we know just how precious a bike is to its rider, and hope this warning can help keep your bike safe.
Brighton & Hove
The Sussex Police has issued a
warning about the increase in thefts in Brighton and Hove. Between 17 August to 17 September, bikes were stolen at an alarming rate of effectively one per day!
A local inspector, Paul Ransome said: "The common theme for these thefts is unsurprising - the thieves operate throughout the hours of darkness and take the bikes from motorcycle bays and the roadside in general. The spread of offences is throughout the city and types range from high powered bikes to scooters and mopeds”.
27 motorcycles a day stolen in London!
The increase in motorcycle theft isn't restricted to the local area, however. In the 12 months between April 2014 to March 2015, there were 9,900 powered two-wheelers reported stolen across London – that's 27 each day!
Not only are a lot of bikes being stolen, they are quite often then used as a getaway vehicle for the thief to commit further crimes. This gives motorcyclists a bad name, which, for the most part, is completely unjust.
Earlier on in the year, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) published an
article stating that it will help the Metropolitan Police to crack down on crime committed by those who had stolen a motorcycle. It would do this by working to reduce the risk of bikes being stolen in the first place.
Cracking down on motorcycle theft
The MCIA has published some advice for riders, to help prevent theft from happening:
- If your bike isn't already protected with the industry MASTER scheme, mark your bike parts with the vehicle identification number, your postcode or registration number using an ultraviolet pen
- Choose designated parking with a stand and security loop, and try to park in areas with lots of people, good lighting and CCTV
- Lock it up! Preferably with a very good lock. Wemoto recommend using a Thatcham Approved lock which we stock in either 12mm x 1.2m or 12mm x 1.8m
- Consider the length of time that you'll be leaving your bike unattended. If you leave your bike outside overnight, for example, make sure you've taken precautions such as locking it to something secure - possibly ground anchors - and covering it over.
- Consider fitting a Thatcham Approved tracking system
- Use a noisy alarm that will draw unwanted attention to thieves
- Front wheels are generally easier to remove, so secure the back wheel of your bike instead
- As terrible as it would be if your bike was stolen, good quality motorcycle insurance should help to soften the blow a little. Wemoto now offer Classic Motorcycle Insurance, which is powered by Footman James.
Whether you're in the local area or elsewhere, we hope your bike stays safe.
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