Police aim to put a spoke in cycle crime
POLICE aim to counter a spate of cycle thefts from streets, sheds and gardens in Bexhill by carrying out spot checks and holding action days to detect and deter such crimes.
Community sergeant Dan Russell said: “My team is planning to highlight cycle thefts and give practical crime prevention advice, and we aim to security mark as many cycles as possible to deter offenders and to provide a means of tracing bikes that are stolen.
“In addition, we will be stopping as many cyclists as possible to check that the bikes they are riding have not been reported stolen at some stage.”
Recent cycle thefts have occurred in Chandler Road, where a thief climbed over a wall to take a cycle left in a rear garden; Windsor Road, where a bike was stolen from a rear yard; Meadow Crescent, rear garden, and Turkey Road, Sidley, again stolen from a garden.
Inspector James Scott, of Rother Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Unfortunately we have seen a dramatic increase in the theft of bicycles over recent months, and would like to take this opportunity to advise bike owners of some simple precautions they can take to secure their bikes”
Insp Scott’s steps to follow are:
• When buying a bike, budget for security. You will need one or more locks and somewhere secure at home to keep your bike.
• Record and register your bike. Take a clear colour photograph of your bike and make a written record of its description, including any unique features, so that you can report it accurately if it is stolen - this will help prove it is yours if it is recovered by the police. Add an additional security mark or tag to your bike, this will again make it easier to identify as yours.
• Always lock your bicycle, even if you are just leaving it for a couple of minutes. Think about using two different types of lock and lock both wheels and the frame of your bike to the bike stand or other immovable object.
• Make sure you don’t buy a stolen bike. By buying a stolen bike you are helping to support the illegal trade in bikes - the next stolen bike to be bought could be yours. Do what you can to check it is from a legitimate outlet, and that they are sure it is not stolen. If it seems suspiciously cheap, ask yourself why? You may be able to check the ownership of a bike you intend to purchase by searching a property register such as ‘Immobilise’, or asking for proof of purchase or ownership.
• Don’t create a market in which thieves can operate. If no one bought stolen bicycles, there would be no reason to steal them.
Insp Scott added: “I would really encourage bicycle owners to follow the advice given in order to make it as hard as possible for thieves operating in the area.
“I would also take this opportunity to ask people to make sure they buy bicycles from legitimate outlets, and if purchasing them from a private seller that ownership of the bicycle is checked.
“I must point out that if a bicycle has been purchased but later found to be stolen, then it will be seized by the police.”
• Anyone with information about cycle thefts, who believes they may be being offered a stolen bike for sale or who sees anything suspicious is urged to contact police on 101 or to use the free, anonymous Crimestoppers linkline on 0800 555 111, or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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