Vicious cycle of bike thefts

Published on Thursday 8 January 2009 08:50

EDINBURGH'S worst areas for cycle thefts can be revealed today as new figures show thefts of bikes running at four a day.

The Southside/Newington area, with its high student population, tops the list with 225 cycles reported stolen in the last 12 months.

At the other end of the scale – and just like with thefts of cars – the safest area is officially Colinton/Fairmilehead where only 28 bikes went missing in 2008.

The cycle crime map was revealed as a new blitz named Operation Autobiography was launched in the south of the city yesterday to target thieves by profiling cyclists.

Officers will stop and check cyclists who arouse suspicion by appearing too big or small for their bike, or failing to wear a helmet in a bid to catch thieves red-handed.

Plain-clothes officers will be on patrol while a police team has been tasked to visit second-hand shops to try to recover stolen bikes.

Pc Carlyn McGhee, a crime prevention officer based at Howdenhall police station, said: "Uniformed and high-visibility patrols deter thieves from committing a theft but it will not catch them. Plain-clothed officers can catch them in the act.

"We carry out theft analysis to identify hotspots, and resources and patrols can be directed into that area to tackle the problem.

"Bikes are often recovered by officers stopping someone riding one. The rider may be the wrong size for the bike. Or they might be pulled over because they aren't wearing a safety helmet.

"Other bikes are recovered after being abandoned. Bikes are stolen, like cars, before being dumped."

Today's figures show that a total of 1474 bikes were stolen in the Capital last year – a number which has been steadily increasing in recent years and one which the police are determined to bring down.

Another initiative launched last month saw a hit-list of serial bike thieves drawn up. Officers are now issued with photographs of repeat offenders in a bid to identify them as they prowl the city streets.

The latest operations are focused on student areas such as Marchmont and Bruntsfield, as well as accommodation at Pollock Halls.

Pc McGhee added: "There are two distinct types of thieves – the opportunists who will see a bike unlocked and make off with it; then there is the type who know what they are looking for and come prepared.

"The areas where we see high numbers of thefts are often those with large student populations. That is why we try and work with students to encourage bike security. We visited Pollock Halls when the new student intake arrived to give out crime packs."

Professional gangs are among those cashing in on the city's cycling boom, taking bikes from streets, common stairways and sheds. They often steal bikes in the city before selling them in places like Glasgow.

Top-of-the-range models, costing up to 5000, are particularly attractive to criminals eager to turn a quick profit by selling them on.

And drug addicts are also believed to be contributing to the rise in stolen bikes reported to police as they try to fund their habits.

Ian Perry, Labour councillor for Southside/Newington, was not surprised that the ward had topped the list for thefts.

He said: "We've now reached the point where two bikes are being stolen every three days and that is a major worry.

"I've had previous discussions with the police about the problem and how we can tackle it. We need to look at different ways to secure bikes safely and that will require liasing with student associations to see if there is anything that can be done."

The city centre ward was the second hardest hit area.

Local Lib Dem councillor Charles Dundas said: "Having safe places to park a bike is about more than safety. It's about providing convenience for cyclists.

"Many people in the city centre have nowhere to chain up their bikes except railings, which many businesses can be unhappy about. Providing safe cycling facilities is something that the council are committed to.

"The numbers being stolen are perhaps in line with what you would expect with a big city. The city centre is where opportunist thieves will be attracted."

Between 60 and 70 stolen bikes are found discarded each month and they are left piled up in a police compound at Fettes HQ.

A police survey found that 63 per cent of bikes stolen from Morningside are taken from common stairs.

A spokesman for cycle group Spokes said tenement properties were an easy target for thieves.

"Many people don't have space in their flats to store a bike. We need better ways to provide secure cycle parking in common stairs, back greens or on streets, perhaps where car parking is currently available," he said.

"Using a good quality lock and parking in the right place are basic measures that need to be got across. If you take these precautions, it's perfectly possible to lower the risk of cycle theft."

12 WAYS OF IMPROVING SECURITY

1.When buying a bike , budget for security. Take out insurance either by extending your home contents insurance or through a separate policy. Cycling organisations and bike shops may offer specialist cover.

2. Register your bicycle model, make and frame number.

3. Take a clear, colour photograph of your bike and make a written record of its description.

4. Security mark the bicycle in at least two separate locations. At least one of these locations should not be clearly visible.

5. At home, keep your bike out of view and try to store it behind a locked door.

6. Avoid leaving your bike parked in isolated or dimly lit places.

7. If yours is a very expensive bike, don't lock it in the same place on a regular basis – so it won't be noticed and stolen to order.

8. Always lock your bike, whenever possible to an immovable object. Remember that thieves can remove drainpipes and lift bikes off signposts.

9. Secure removable parts. Lock both wheels and the frame together. Take with you smaller parts and accessories that can be removed without tools such as lights or panniers.

10. Make the lock (and chain, if used) and bike hard to manoeuvre when parked to stop thieves smashing the lock open.

There are many different locks on the market and price is not necessarily a reliable indicator of quality. The most important factor is how long the product can resist attack. The best ones resist for at least five minutes.

Hardened steel D-shaped locks are recommended as the minimum standard. It is worth spending proportionately more on a lock for a more expensive bike.

11. Inform the police if you have your bike stolen.

12. Find out about and take part in local cycling initiatives to raise awareness about security.