|
Here’s the latest update on bike theft in your area. We had an increase in bicycle theft. Here are some useful tips:
Ten ways to protect your bike
Follow these 10 tips to ensure your bike remains safe, secure and not a statistic.
1. Double lock it
Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target. Use two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock. Thieves are less likely to carry multiple tools, so use two different types of lock if possible.
For further information and advice, visit Sold Secure.
2. Lock the lot
Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand.
3. Secure it
Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.
4. Take removable parts with you
Take parts that are easy to remove with you, such as wheels, lights, baskets or the saddle. Or use locking skewers or nuts which can increase security by securing the bike's components to the frame permanently.
5. Park securely
Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV.
6. Register it
Register your frame number on a national bike registration database approved by Secured by Design. The frame number is usually found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in. If your bike is ever stolen and recovered by the police, it can be traced back to you.
7. Mark it
Get your bike security marked. It’s a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught with a registered bike, the owner can be traced and they will be arrested. Security marking products can be found at Secured by Design.
8. Remember safety begins at home
Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street. Avoid advertising that you have a bike at home, for example, by removing car roof racks, and creating ‘privacy zones’ on apps like Strava to avoid disclosing your location.
9. Check ownership
Ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on national bike registration databases approved by Secured by Design.
10. Act fast
If your bike has been stolen, contact us as soon as possible by reporting online. Give us your frame number, cycle database number, a photo and any other details and make sure you update the status on the cycle database where you registered it. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act, which might stop it being sold on.
 We know that bikes are an important way for people to travel and are at risk of theft because of how expensive they can be. If you have your bike stolen, please report it as soon as possible. Delays in reporting can make it harder for us to investigate and recover stolen property. If you have a bike, you can help keep it safe by following our ten ways to protect your bike. The most important thing to remember is to double lock your bike and register the frame number. You can report an incident of bike theft by using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
| 
