ARTICLE THREE ‘Re-Cycling Crime’
Cycle theft is regrettably nothing new. Cycles offer potentially easy targets and a rapid means of escape – a combination that has been exploited by the criminal fraternity for many years. Sadly, the ‘Olympic effect’ on cycle crime has now raised the bar on golden opportunities for offenders who endeavour to avoid being for the long jump after marathon investigative efforts by the Police.
Bad puns aside, many people have rightly been inspired by the Olympics resulting in some spending many thousands of pounds on cycles, or taking part in numerous Cycle-to-Work schemes that have sprung up across the area. An expensive bike, therefore, is no longer a rarity…and criminals know this.
Since April 2013, NE Lincs has had over 500 cycle thefts recorded with a large proportion of these stolen from streets. The basics apply that if you lock your bike effectively, using quality (Sold Secure rated) locks, to an immovable object, then your bike will present less of an opportunity to a thief. A rule of thumb is that you should spend at least 10 per cent of the bike’s value on a lock - aiming for a Sold Secure Gold standard if possible. The use of a ground anchor and target hardening of your shed / garage should also be considered to help deter criminals when your bike is stored. The key point is that, as a minimum, your bike should be securely locked wherever it is left…with a quality lock. Initiatives such as The Cycle Hub in Grimsby Town Station provide welcome secure alternatives for cyclists who commute into Town.
As well as physical measures, registering your bike’s frame number and distinguishing features, for free, on the property registry site www.immobilise.com will assist the Police in tracking the bike and hopefully returning it should the worst happen.
You can follow Andy Robinson on Twitter - @HPCrimeRednNEL