Keeping your set of wheels

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over 70 cycles are stolen a week in the borough!

Wandsworth police took affirmative action to halt the problem of bicycle thefts in the borough.  Throughout 2005, police and partner agencies targeted identified hotspots in communal areas and achieved a significant reduction.  This forceful response has led to bike thieves stealing from outside residential properties.

The multi-agency partnership operated in areas around East Putney tube, Clapham Junction, St George's hospital, Wandsworth high street and local leisure centres.  Their visible presence and increased surveillance deterred thieves and saw a drop in thefts. The multi-agency partnership introduced new security facilities for the safe storage of bicycles.

Pedal cycles are attractive targets for thieves, with an average of 70 bikes reported stolen each week.  Recent reports show that people's sheds and gardens, communal corridors and reception areas are now the targets of choice.

Chief Inspector Theobald said: �We devised an intelligence led plan to tackle the spate of bike thefts in the area and saw a noticeable decrease. Our safer neighbourhoods teams will continue to police the problem in their respective sectors. 

The Queenstown Safer Neighbourhoods Team is keeping a photo board of people on bikes that act anti-socially or in any other manner to cause police to observe their movements.

Sgt. Al Bottomley said: �Please give serious thought to how and where you keep your bike secure. Don't present thieves with an opportunity.�

The Metropolitan Police Service are supporting the Immobilise Bike Crime campaign, where people are encouraged to log on to www.immobilise.com and follow the simple steps to register their bikes and other property on the immobilise register. Reporting your bike as lost or stolen helps the police match its description to the rightful owner.

Police have offered tips for people to follow:

· Lock cycles through the frame and the wheels. It may be practical to have more than one lock to do this. Secure or remove quick release wheels. · Lock your bike before leaving it, even if it is only for a few minutes. · Ensure you have recorded the make, model and serial number of your bike. The police hold a large number of found bikes but are unable to trace the owners. · Ensure you take all easily removable items from your bike once it is locked including, lights, panniers, quick release saddles, pumps and water bottles. · Try and use ground or wall anchors for use in a garage or shed. · Don't leave your bike visible from the street or from back alleys · You should consider insuring your bike. Cycles may be covered under your house contents insurance. If your cycle is of a particularly high value, you may need separate insurance. · Keep a photograph of your bike and keep a record of all its details · A camouflaged tarp is useful idea as someone just cruising could easily overlook the bike entirely.

January 19, 2006