Matt Lauch is a PCSO from the Peterborough Volume Crime Team. He investigates crimes ranging from criminal damage to assault. Part of his role is to deliver crime prevention messages. Here he provides us with some top tips for securing bicycles.
For many, the summer months are a great time for people to dust off their bikes, pump up the tyres and oil up the chains before venturing off on a leisurely trip in the city or the local countryside.
We often see an increase in cycling for leisure due to the better weather.
This can bring some problems. Cycles are a target for thieves, they can simply seem to disappear off the face of the earth, never to be seen by their owner again.
Cycles are often stripped down for parts or sold on elsewhere, with more expensive bikes being a prime target. Police do recover many cycles and often catch the thieves but there are things you can do to reduce the risk of a theft of your cycle.
No matter where you go, you should always keep your cycle locked and secure in a good location and preferably use a strong Sold Secure Gold Rated D-Lock.
Country parks, where cycles are often used, can be a target location for the cycle thief. Along with caravan and camping parks. Just because an area looks and feels safe, does not mean a cycle thief won’t pay a visit to take a bike or two.
Sheds are also a prime target. Making your shed as secure as possible will slow down a thief. Consider shed alarms and securing any windows. Securing any bikes inside with strong D-Locks and cables, attached to a secure ground bolt or heavy item like a lawnmower, will certainly cause problems for a thief.
Consider recording your cycle details – this will help if your cycle is stolen. Take a photo of the it and any distinguishing features. Record the frame number which is underneath the bike, down by the pedals. This will help police with their enquiries.
Registering your cycle on a website such as immobilise.com or bikeregister.com will help you keep a record of your details. You can also record other valuables on immobilise too.
Top tips:
- Invest in a Sold Secure Gold Rated D-Lock
- Mark your bicycle with a BikeRegister.com registration pack or simply mark the frame where you would be able to describe and recognise the mark if found
- Use a fitted helmet and front and rear lights. It is just as important to secure your bicycle as it is to be safe when riding
Check out our bike security video
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