Trends predict highest ever bike crime in city this month
Warning to cyclists as bike crime set to surge this month
Tips
Get a good bike lock
Lock your bike to something secure
Leave your bike where a potential thief can be seen
Lock up removable parts (e.g. wheels) and take light fittings with you
Have your bike’s frame security-marked or engraved
Take a clear colour photograph of your bike and make a written record of its description, including any unique features
Note the serial number on the frame
Cambridgeshire police are urging cyclists to keep their bikes safe this October.
Since the city centre policing team started publishing bike theft data online the month of October has consistently seen the highest number of bicycles stolen in the inner city.
Last year the amount of thefts in October rose to the highest recorded, almost doubling the number of thefts seen the month before. Data also reveals that cycle crime is up almost 20 per cent this summer on last, through May, June and July.
Continuing trends could see over 100 bikes stolen in the city over the next month.
Sergeant Chris Horton, of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “The rise in cycle crime in October can be linked partly to students returning to the city and more bicycle use increasing.
“We recommend people secure their bikes with two decent d-locks and where possible use a proper rack which are designed to prevent theft. Cyclists can also make use of marking schemes and websites where property can be registered online.
Edward Leigh, chair of Smarter Cambridge Transport, is asking for more secure parking locations for cyclists. He said: “The best way to tackle cycle theft is for councils, businesses, shops, colleges and so on to provide much more secure cycle parking. It’s often the case that there is nothing available nearby to secure your bike to, and that makes it a gift to an opportunist thief.
“Cambridge City Council has done a great job of installing high quality cycle parking around the city centre, but there’s a need for more. Smarter Cambridge Transport is lobbying for another part of the Grand Arcade car park to be converted into a cycle park, and we encourage everyone to lobby employers, shops, schools and colleges to install high quality cycle stands in convenient and highly visible locations.
“To help the police recover stolen bikes, photograph yours, record the serial number on the frame, mark it with your postcode using a UV pen, or register it with BikeRegister or Immobilise.”
