Tag Archives: Bikes

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, NMPR, Police

Police say don’t give cycle thieves easy ride – register on immobilise

York police are urging residents to ‘spoke up’ against cycle thieves.

Officers launched Operation Spoke in January 2010 as a deterrent to combat cycle theft and as a quick and easy way to reunite stolen bikes with their rightful owners.

Since the initiative began, almost 10,000 bikes have been security marked and registered with North Yorkshire Police and the national property register, Immobilise.

All cycle owners are being urged to sign up to the scheme, so that police can identify who stolen bikes belong to when they are recovered.

Officers are currently tying to trace the owners of a cycle which was targeted last month – who could have been easily traced if they had taken advantage of the free security marking offered by Operation Spoke.

At around 8pm on Friday 3 June 2011, police recovered a bike at the cycle racks near the Minster after someone had made an attempt to steal it.

The bike is in police possession but as yet the owner is unknown and police are urging anyone who believes it belongs to them to come forward.

If this is your bike contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7, quoting reference number 12110090973.

Officers are also trying to trace the owner of a black or grey Cannondale Bad Boy hybrid cycle which was stolen from the cycle racks on Tanner’s Moat, outside The Maltings at around 1.40pm on Tuesday 28 June 2011.

A 17-year-old youth was arrested in connection with the theft, however officers need the owner of the bike to come forward and report it stolen.

If you believe this was your cycle, contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7, quoting reference number 12110106413.

PC Fiona Wilding of York police, said:

Cycles are often a target for thieves and it is important that people take action to protect their property.

It is advisable to buy a good quality bike lock and if possible use two different styles of lock, as thieves are rarely equipped to break both.

Everyone should also consider having their bike ‘spoked’ to make it easier for the police to catch offenders and return your bike if it stolen.

Security tagging involves having a unique mark placed on the frame of your bike which can then be matched to key details stored on the police database such as make, model and frame number.

The process is simple, quick and free and can be done at the Bike Rescue Project under Lendal Bridge or at regular Operation Spoke events held throughout the city.

To view the source story go to: York Police

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Police

Make life difficult for cycle thieves – Police registration event

Cyclists in the Ely area of Cambridge are being urged to help ward off thieves by getting their bikes marked and registered on the National Property register – Immobilise.

Police are holding a free bike marking event at High Barns play area in Ely from 6.30-8.30pm on Friday (24/06/2011).

Information about online property registration database Immobilise will also be handed out.

Registering property on the Immobilise website allows police to quickly trace the owner if it is stolen and recovered.

PCSO Daniel Stewart said:

By encouraging people to register their bikes on Immobilise we hope to stay ahead of the game and stop bike theft.

Immobilise is simple to use and it only takes a couple of minutes to register your property.

He added:

If a registered bike is stolen and then recovered, it is likely to be quickly reunited with its owner and police will have a better chance of prosecuting the thief.

See http://www.immobilise.com

To read the source article please go to: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Ely/Make-life-difficult-for-cycle-thieves-22062011.htm

 

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, NMPR, Police, Report My Loss

Police advise public to register bikes and belongings on Immobilise

Police in Doncaster are advising the public  to keep their property and belongings secure following a recent spate of bicycle thefts across the borough.

During the last few weeks, there has been an increase in the theft of bikes when they have been left unattended outside shops or left insecure in gardens.

Opportunistic thieves will not think twice about taking property that is unattended or insecure, and police are urging the public to be vigilant and secure their property at all times.

Sergeant Jez Fitzgibbons said:

We have had a number of thefts reported over the last week, where people have left their bikes insecure in their gardens thinking they will be safe, or outside shops unattended. Even though they are only away from the bike for a matter of minutes, it only takes seconds for someone to steal it and we want to ensure this doesn’t happen, but we need the publics help.

To deter thieves, always ensure bikes are locked or chained up when left unattended, even when left in your garden.

To also deter thieves from stealing bikes, have the crossbar stamped with your postcode as it makes it more difficult for the bike to be sold on and less likely to be stolen.

Bikes can also be registered for free on the national property database Immobilise, www.immobilise.com, by entering the bike frame number. Should the bike be stolen, it can be identified and traced back to the original owner if found.

To read the source article please go to: http://southyorks.police.uk/news/06062011/5354/bicycle-thefts-doncaster

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, NMPR, Police

The NMPR enables London Cycle Task Force to reunite bike with owner

Immobilise’s Police search portal, the NMPR, continues to help the joint MPS/TfL London Cycle Task Force in identifying and returning stolen bikes and property to their rightful owners.

As reported by BikeBiz, PCSOs Jaime Page, Matthew Sait and Derek Fletcher from the MPS/TfL (Metropolitan Police Service/Transport for London) run Cycle Task Force reunited a stolen bike with its owner this month. While on patrol in Islington on May 3rd 2011, they noticed an unsecure and unattended silver bike upturned outside a sports shop in Chapel Market, London.

The officers checked the frame number of the bike against the National Mobile Property Register (NMPR) to check if it was registered and reported stolen. The checks revealed the registered bike had

instantley searchable via the Police NMPR, mean that the police can on occasion return your property before you even realise or report it stolen!

For more see: www.immobilise.com/about

To read the source story please go to: BikeBiz

Crime, Immobilise, NMPR, Police, Report My Loss

Immobilise helps South Yorkshire Police reduce property crime

South Yorkshire has claimed a major success on crimes such as burglary and car theft following the recent release of new crime figures. The new figures show that house burglaries in South Yorkshire were at their lowest level in 30 years and that the number of car thefts were at their lowest since records began in 1974.

The statistics also reveal that in the year to March, 29 per cent of all serious acquisitive crimes committed in the county were solved and that crimes of that type were down 11 per cent on 2009/10.

South Yorkshire Police said it had developed specialist teams of detectives to focus specifically on burglary, robbery and vehicle crime.

Technology used at the scenes of burglaries and car crimes has moved on quickly with forensic officers now using shoe match identification as well as DNA and fingerprints.

Intelligence on crime trends and active criminals is also used to deploy officers to priority areas across South Yorkshire, and officers are engaged in “offender management” which involves curfew checks and application of bail conditions to limit re-offending.

Supt Tim Innes, South Yorkshire Police’s lead officer for serious acquisitive crime, said:

Despite record performance for South Yorkshire, it’s critical that we keep the focus on this area of crime which can be emotionally and financially devastating for victims.

Our success is based upon some key factors.

Effective use of intelligence, management of offenders, working with partners and communities, quality investigation, and providing a responsive service day in, day out.

I would like to recognise the hard work of our staff who do a tremendous job across all departments and agencies.

I would also like to thank the public who are reporting crime, marking, securing and recording their property, and providing valuable information to help us track down criminals.

We have had some tremendous success in identifying stolen goods and I would like to remind everyone in South Yorkshire to log their property on websites such as www.immobilise.com which help reunite stolen items with their owners.

To read the source article please go to: Yorkshire Post

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Report My Loss

‘Lock it or lose it’ warn Harrogate police

Harrogate police are urging residents to ‘lock it or lose it’ after a recent increase in the number of burglaries and car break-ins.

Officers believe that the rise can be combated with the help of the community who can help reduce further offences by taking preventative security measures.

Although the district has enjoyed falling figures in crimes such as robbery, sexual offences and thefts from outbuildings, burglary and theft from vehicles remains an issue which officers are keen to stamp out.

Sergeant Geoff Crocker, of Harrogate Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:

Harrogate is one of the safest towns in the safest county in the country, however some people’s complacency over crime prevention is making life easy for criminals.

We have to act now to ensure that offenders don’t have it their own way. Make life difficult for them, most thieves are opportunistic – if they see an unsecured door or window they will be in.

What they don’t like is a challenge, it is vital that people take the proper security measures to ensure that their houses or cars are as difficult as possible to get into.

Over half of burglaries occur at properties that have been left insecure and these offences could have easily been prevented by closing windows and locking doors.

Sgt Crocker also pointed out that burglaries where offenders force entry to a property are almost exclusively committed at homes which don’t have burglar alarms fitted. He added:

While investigating a recent burglary, I noticed that the offenders had climbed over several garden fences of neighbouring properties to get to the house. All the surrounding properties had burglar alarms, the house that was burgled did not.

Laptops, jewellery and car keys were stolen from the house and Sgt Crocker is urging residents to consider the loss of possessions and inconvenience against the cost of having adequate security measures installed.

Thefts from unattended vehicles have also gone up in Harrogate, mainly because many people are still leaving their cars unlocked.

Laptops, iPhones, Blackberrys and wallets have all been stolen from insecure vehicles recently, in thefts that could have been easily prevented by locking the door and removing valuable items from view. Sgt Crocker said:

The lack of security awareness shown by some motorists is staggering, the vast majority of thefts from vehicles have come as a result of the car being left unlocked.

Thieves are simply walking along the road or up driveways looking for vehicles that have been left insecure.

We really need to get the message across: lock your car, remove all valuable property and leave nothing on view.

Police are urging the residents of Harrogate to work with them to make life tough for criminals and help reduce the number of burglaries and thefts occurring in the town.

Local Safer Neighbourhood officers are always happy to give crime prevention advice and everyone can do their bit to ensure their homes and cars are secure.

Sgt Crocker added:

We need to ensure firstly that thieves aren’t getting an easy steal and secondly that they have an increased risk of getting caught.

The first part of this has to come from the community by observing basic security procedures including using locks that they already have.

The second part is down to the police, to relentlessly pursue criminals, put them before the courts and continue to reduce crime in Harrogate District.

Sgt Crocker has offered his top 10 crime prevention tips to residents wishing to guard against burglary and theft:

  • Remove all valuables from your vehicle and ensure it is locked.
  • Keep keys in a safe place, out of reach of doors and windows.
  • Get a burglar alarm fitted preferably from a SSAIB or NSI approved company.
  • Part set your alarm before going to bed.
  • Photograph expensive jewellery, mark it with Smartwater and keep it in a safe.
  • Photograph and mark expensive antiques and pictures.
  • Create an immobilise account at www.immobilise.com and record your possessions on the database.
  • Join your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
  • Check your door lock. If it does not show kite mark BS3621, contact the police, a locksmith or your NHW coordinator.
  • If you see something suspicious report it

To visit North Yorkshire Police’s Website go to: http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6736

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Police, Students

Greater Manchester Police launch Beat the Bike Thief campaign

Rochdale Online had reported that teams of police officers across Greater Manchester will be putting the brakes on bike theft with the launch of the new Beat the Bike Thief campaign.

Student cyclists across Greater Manchester are being urged to saddle up and beat the bike thieves by taking advantage of free bike security schemes, following the theft of more than 5,200 pedal bikes last year.

Between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, 5,265 bikes were stolen from across Greater Manchester – a nine per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

Over the next few weeks, students will be invited to attend a series of bike security marking events across Greater Manchester. Police officers will give out a limited number of free bike locks to cyclists without adequate security on a first come, first served basis, along with discount vouchers for the Bike Doctor, Manchester, and bike security advice.

In this latest effort to stamp out bike theft, officers will also target thieves by using a number of decoy bikes to track down offenders, along with increased patrols in hotspot areas. In addition, officers will also be on the lookout for bikes with similar descriptions to those stolen, stop-checking anyone who might be riding one. Should a bike turn out to be stolen, they could be arrested.

Detective Chief Inspector Julian Snowball, of GMP’s Serious Crime division, said:

This is a great opportunity to help put the brakes on bike theft by getting your bikes security marked free of charge.

Bikes are expensive so will always be a target for thieves, especially if they aren’t secured or only have a standard lock. We would like to encourage students, where possible, to use the official cycle racks covered by CCTV. However, if they are not available secure it to a heavy or bulky object that can’t be moved.

You can also register your bike at www.immobilise.com, which is an online database linked to police property systems that will help us reunite you with your bike should it be stolen and later found. By advertising that your bike’s identity has been registered, it becomes far less attractive to thieves.

As part of the campaign, posters will go up in cycle shops, universities, colleges, public buildings, schools, sports centres and other eye-catching places. In addition, bike hangers, with a discount voucher for secure locks and crime prevention advice, will be hung on parked bikes in universities and colleges.

Based around the slogan ‘Beat The Bike Thief’, the poster and hanger remind cyclists to always secure bikes with a good quality chain or lock when not in use, making it much more difficult to steal.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/56043/police-put-the-brakes-on-bike-theft

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Police

Police urge cyclists don’t give thieves an easy ride

The Morpeth Herald has reported that Northumberland Police are urging cyclists to stop thieves having an easy ride when it comes to stealing bikes.

The warning comes after a recent increase in the number of bikes being targeted by thieves in the area. Figures show that since January 1 this year there have been 69 pedal cycles stolen in the county – 56 of them were left unattended and insecure.

Northumberland Crime Prevention Advisor Del Graham said:

Always lock your bike when you leave it – even if it is only for a minute.

Store it in a shed or garage where possible and always use a quality padlock or chain to secure your bike.

Cyclists can register their bikes at www.immobilise.com which is a property register scheme supported by Northumbria Police. They should also consider getting their bike security marked so if it is stolen and recovered it can be returned.

We run a number of free bike marking events in the county so check the police website (www.northumbria.police.uk) for details of one in your area.

And finally, record the serial number of the bike and photograph it. If it is stolen this could really help officers track it down and return it.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/don_t_give_thieves_an_easy_ride_1_3348846

Bicycles, Immobilise, ImmobiTag, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Police, Report My Loss, Students

Manchester Police – Beat the burglar with property marking

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Police in south Manchester are urging residents to register their items on immobilise.

The police seize hundreds of items each year and many of them cannot be returned, as police do not know where they have come from.

Immobilise.com is a free database whereby residents can register valuable items and record information such as serial numbers and distinguishing marks. All police forces have access to the site and when an item is seized or handed in, officers can check the database and find out who it belongs to.

Inspector Paul Kinrade from the South Manchester Division of Greater Manchester Police said:

Our property store is crammed full of bikes, garden tools, computers, jewellery and clothing but unfortunately a lot of this is never returned to its owners as we are not able to identify where it has come from.

Obviously we hope that residents never have to go through the experience of getting broken into but registering your valuables on immobilise only takes a couple of minutes and it could spell the difference between getting your stolen items back or never seeing them again.

To avoid the chances of being broken into, please remember to shut and lock all of your windows and doors. It sounds really obvious but unfortunately a third of burglaries happen because homes are left insecure.

You can also help to deter burglars by leaving lights on and keeping valuables out of view.

To read the source article please go to: www.gmp.police.uk

Bicycles, Crime, Immobilise, Lost Property, Mobile Phones, Police, Students

Students reminded to secure their homes – Lock It, Hide It, Keep It

South Wales Police have warned that more than 50 per cent of recent student burglaries in Cardiff have been at insecure properties.

Local officers are now offering to register student valuables on free online property database www. immobilise .com as part of the on-going Lock It, Hide It, Keep It Campaign.

The registering initiative was launched this month by student liaison officer PC Tim Davies who visited Cardiff University Students Union on Tuesday, March 1 with a crime prevention and information stand.

Pc Davies said:

The latest Home Office figures show that overall burglary in Cardiff is down 3.1 per cent but Roath and Cathays, both densely populated by students in shared properties, tend to have higher rates of burglary than other areas of the city.

Unfortunately student homes provide rich pickings for criminals who know that most students will have valuables such as laptops, games consoles and IPods that can be easily carried and sold on.

Since Christmas there have been 40 burglaries at student properties in Cardiff and 21 have at insecure properties.

This means doors and windows have been left open which is perfect for burglars as they don’t need to smash glass, risk making a noise and being disturbed, and possibly leave their DNA.

The good news is that this is something students can easily address.
Students are urged to register items such as laptops, IPods and bikes on www. immobilise .com as this means the real owners can be contacted if found.

Stolen items are usually sold or passed on in the Cardiff area.

We find hundreds of bikes every year but they have to be auctioned because we never know who they belong to,” said Pc Davies.

If owners had registered them on Immobilise then they could be easily returned.

I will be in the students union on the first Tuesday of every month with my laptop and would encourage all students to call into see me for this free service and extra crime prevention advice.

To read the source article please go to: http://www.south-wales.police.uk/