A recent study shows a fifth of the UK public considers their bicycles the most important possession they own, with 16% of purchases now costing over £500! While according to a leading insurer, 45 bikes are stolen every hour in the UK. If you haven’t managed to register yours on Immobilise.com yet, it would be wise and be sure to add the frame number, including any other marks you can find; it’s entirely free and only takes a few minutes.
Don’t forget to register any new gifts straight on to Immobilise.com. Unfortunately, theft and burglaries tend to increase around the festive period. Logging your treasured items on immobilise.com creates a unique record of your ownership, meaning responsible traders will avoid them. At the same time, should police encounter your property, they will be able to identify it, giving you the best possible chance of getting your valuables back should the worst happen.
Hampshire officers are appealing for information after the theft of mountain bikes worth £8,500 from outbuildings in the area.
TWO sheds and a garage were broken into in New Milton and Fordingbridge where mountain bikes were stolen worth a combined £8,500.
Police have launched an appeal for information on the raids which happened between 23rd and 28th November.
A Canyon Nerve mountain bike and a black-and-blue Canyon EXDCF worth £1,500 each were taken between 11pm on Tuesday 23rd November and 6am on Wednesday 24th November from Forest Oak Drive, New Milton
Then between 10.30pm and 5.30am overnight on 27th and 28th November, two bikes, including a black Bombtrack gravel cycle worth £3,500, were stolen from Hobart Road, New Milton.
On the same evening, between 11pm and 7am, two bikes including a black carbon fibre cycle with Campagnolo gears valued at £2,000 were taken from Station Road, Fordingbridge
Hampshire officers are appealing for information on the thefts and have asked residents to keep an eye out if they’re offered mountain bikes for sale.
Those with information about the bikes should contact police on 101 quoting the crime reference numbers: 44210472477 (Forest Oak Drive); 44210477726 (Hobart Road); or 44210477748 (Station Road).
If you own a bike, consider police crime prevention advice to:
– Ensure your bike is locked or anchored to an immovable point, even inside your shed or garage.
– Use a D-lock – anything less won’t do.
– If you use Strava or ride tracking apps, make sure your privacy settings are changed so that your start and endpoint aren’t shared; this is your home address and where you probably store your bike.
– Mark your bike by using a property or police-approved forensic marking solution only visible under ultraviolet light.
– Take pictures of the bike, as well as the bike frame number, as this can help police reunite you with your prized possessions if they are recovered.
– Register your bike for free using a property database such as www.immobilise.com
Every day Golf clubs like these are encountered. All too often, there is no record of who owns them. Register your clubs using the serial number on the hose/neck, shaft, or sole, or use a marking kit like ImmobiGolf. Registration on Immobilise.com increases the chance of repatriation and may be the difference between a suspect being released by Police or charged with theft.
GOLF CLUBS WORTH £2,500 STOLEN FROM CAR IN DARLINGTON
When thieves are this brazen and not deterred by steel U-locks, warning labels, engravings, and other marks are not going to be a deterrent either. But we can at least leave something in your bike that would incriminate anyone later found in possession of it. ImmobiBike, with its shuttle securely fitted in the seat post, can’t be removed without risk of damage and is easily traceable by police.
A great effort by Bedfordshire Police, Neighbourhood Watch, local councils, and the community sees domestic burglary down by 33% in the area. Stay vigilant and make your homes unattractive to would-be thieves, especially with the darker nights. The link also provides advice from Police to deter burglars.
We hear of increasing cases of tool theft, where traders’ vehicles are targeted for the valuable power tools inside. If you or someone you know works in the trade, please remind them to get their equipment marked and registered on Immobilise.com. It’s completely FREE and adding a serial only takes a few minutes. Together can we help stop criminals from destroying livelihoods and ensure crime doesn’t pay.
Will your bike suffer the same fate? Register it now at Immobilise.com, make sure it has a unique identifier that’s hard to remove and give the police the best possible chance of getting it back to you.
The Met Police recovered these bikes in a raid (Image credit: Twitter/@MetTaskforce)
So you’ve heeded all the advice to secure your home and your property.
You have window locks, high-security doors, unobscured entrances, lighting, an alarm system, valuables stored out of sight, tools, and equipment stored in locked sheds and garages.
Sadly, even the most security-aware can still become victims of theft, only to discover the aftermath can be as frustrating and painful as the event itself. The Police and insurers will ask for details of any missing property, and it is here that many find themselves unprepared, complicating claims and prolonging the stress and inconvenience.
Police recover an enormous amount of stolen property each year, but the majority is impossible to repatriate because there is no way to trace the owner. The result is that valuable, treasured possessions end up going to auction or even being destroyed.
Our homes are full of treasured valuables and a target for thieves.
To avoid these pitfalls, here are some simple actions you can take:
Make a habit of recording your purchases: photograph items, unique marks, and any serial numbers, including the original purchase receipts. Send the pictures to a friend or family member so you have more than one copy or record them securely on the Immobilise National Property Register – immobilise.com. Any police report or insurance claim will be more effective and faster to complete when you have this information to hand.
Mark items: add your postcode, your phone number, or some other number meaningful to you. Various marking and labeling methods are available, but any manner of mark will help – it doesn’t have to cost anything.
Register items: Consider registering your items on a police-connected database. Visit your local constabulary website for recommendations in the loss and theft section. Such registration not only helps Police return your property but may also prevent criminals from easily selling it.
