Published: May 20, 2012
Police issue warning to Burnham cyclists over opportunistic thieves

Police have this week issued a warning to cyclists and bikers in the Burnham-On-Sea area over the threat of opportunistic thieves.

Officers have urged users of bikes to be extra 'security savvy' during the spring and summer months.

Detective Inspector James Mcaninch said: "Many bike and motorcycle thefts are opportunist and even leaving a bike insecure for a few minutes can be long enough for someone to steal it."

"We use tactics like analysing crimes to identify hotspots for motorcycle and bike theft and police officers actively patrol those areas on foot and off-road motorbikes to prevent crimes and deter thieves."

"Many specialist teams also run plain clothes operations all over the force to catch thieves in the act, arrest them and put them before the courts to bring them to justice. All of these things help to stop bike and motorcycle thieves but we also need owners to be security smart and extra vigilant."

Top tips for securing bikes:

• Use two different locks when securing a push bike and always lock to something fixed.
• Always take any parts of the bike which are removable i.e. saddles, wheels, etc…
• Always lock your bike when at home. The most secure place to keep a bike is in the house but if you can't use a garage or a shed.
• If storing outside, remember to store in a concealed location and cover your bike to keep it out of view.
• Always go for a lock that is accredited by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Secured by Design scheme (www.securedbydesign.com).
• Consider investing in a ground anchor. An anchor mounted on a wall will prevent locks having contact with the ground which leaves them vulnerable to lever, bolt cropper and chisel attacks.

Top tips for securing motorcycles:

• Always lock your motorcycle using an approved lock, and lock it to something fixed.
• Have an alarm installed on your motorcycle.
• Always use the steering lock when leaving your motorcycle.
• If possible, when visiting places other than home, park the motorcycle in a place easy for you to see, or use a garage.
• When at home put your motorcycle out of sight, for example, in a garage. If it must remain outside then buy a good quality ground anchor and secure your motorcycle.
• If the motorcycle remains outside, then put it under a security light, and if it is in your garden, then put decent quality locks on your gate.
• When locking your motorcycle, disconnect or remove your battery. For motorcycles which require a kick-start, try removing a spark plug, which renders your motorcycle useless to any potential thieves.