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NEWS
Anti-theft initiative a raging success
Security tags on motorcycles in London 'hotspot' has produced some spectacular resultsAn anti-theft initiative at St James's Square in London, previously a haven for motorcycle thieves, has become an instant success.
There have been no reported thefts since September 2014 after the Westminster City Council, working with the Metropolitan Police and security marking specialist Datatag, offered riders the chance to add security tags to their bikes. The council says that a steady stream of riders took up the £50 ($A92) offer.
Previously, about 50 bikes were stolen from St James's parking bays every year, and throughout the whole municipality about 190 bikes.
The tagging involves applying a combination of highly visible and hidden security markers, which deter thieves but also help the police recover vehicles if they are stolen. The process takes about 25 minutes.
The Met checked the Police National Computer to make sure the bikes weren't stolen in the first place, and warning signs were erected to let thieves know that users of the parking bay had security-marked their bikes.
The council plans to extend the scheme into other parking bays in 2015.
Westminster City Council has since added 78 ground anchors to the parking bay, which makes it difficult for thieves to just lift up a scooter or motorcycle and put it into a van – a common way for thieves to steal an unsecured bike.
Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, says this concerted effort by Westminster proves that marking works. He said: "We are delighted to hear the part security marking is playing in eliminating theft in St James's Square and applaud Westminster City Council's systematic approach in dealing with it and would like to see other London councils making such an effort.
"The underlying message gained from this exercise is that thieves like easy pickings. Make it as hard as possible for them to steal in the first place and, if they do, make sure your bike is marked. This makes it easy for the police to secure a prosecution when they find a stolen motorcycle or scooter and helps them return it to its rightful owner."
Over the past few years, an average of 24,000 motorcycles have been stolen annually in the UK, half of which are taken from London streets. Of all vehicles stolen in Westminster, 55 per cent are motorcycles.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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Written byBikesales Staff
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