People across Gedling borough are being urged to be on their guard against bike thieves.
Police say there has been an increase in bike thefts around the borough over recent weeks and want owners to start taking extra precautions to make them harder to steal.
A police spokesman said: “There been an increase of bicycle thefts within the area and enquires are continuing into these incidents that have been reported.
“Whether it is outside a shop, on public spaces or even in the back garden then please make sure that the bike is secured.
“Bicycles are often targeted by thieves because they are left poorly secured or not secured at all. It takes just a few seconds for the opportunist thief to steal a bike that is left unsecured.”
Police have now issued the following advice which they say will protect your bike from being stolen and to increase the chances of it being returned to you if it is stolen.
Securing your bike
- Lock your bike tightly so that your bike is difficult to move when parked.
- Ensure you lock both wheels and the frame to a cycle stand or another immoveable object.
- Always park your bike where it can be clearly seen. Use designated parking areas or secure cycle storage.
- Make it impossible to a thief to smash the lock open. Fill the ‘D’ part of your lock with as much of the bike as possible. Never leave the lock lying on the ground where it could easily be smashed.
- Ensure that you remove any items that can be taken without using tools, for example, wheels, lights, pump, panniers, seat post and saddle.
Protecting your bike
- Get your bike insured. Ask your insurer to extend your home contents insurance to cover your bicycle. Ensure it covers you for thefts outside the home. If your bicycle is particularly valuable, you may need to insure it separately.
- Mark your bike. There are a number of bike marking products are available. Always ensure you use a marking scheme that is approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and preferably use a visible marking product. Bike Register kits and Selectamark are examples.
- Bike Passport. If your bike was stolen, could you describe it? Many people forget details about their bikes that could help Police reunite them with theirs if it is stolen and later recovered. Consider creating a bike passport containing details of your bike. See the example in our guide mentioned below.
Secure cycle lockers
Secure cycle lockers are available in Nottingham at these places:
- Trinity Square car park
- Fletcher Gate car park
- Victoria Shopping Centre
- Phoenix Park and Rise, Nuthall Road
- Nottingham Railway Station
