Stolen vehicle recovery expert Tracker (part of the Tantalum Corporation) reveals that it recovered over £540,000 worth of stolen motorcycles in 2017, with London once again being the hot spot for bike thieves. The latest figures highlight the need for motorcycle owners to continue to focus on security to shut down opportunities for criminals.
| Top 10 Regional Hotspots for Motorcycles Stolen and Recovered by Tracker |
| 1. London 2. Essex 3. Kent 4. West Midlands 5. Manchester 6. West Yorkshire 7. South Yorkshire 8. Hampshire 9. Bristol 10. North Yorkshire |
London and Greater London remain the hot spots for bike thieves, accounting for 67% of all Tracker stolen motorcycle recoveries. Essex and Kent fall into second and third place, followed by the West Midlands and Manchester.
Among the bikes recovered, the Peugeot Ludix and Tweet remained the most recovered make and models. The most expensive bike recovered was a BMW R1200GS Adventure worth £16,000. The average value of stolen and recovered motorcycles was £2,924, highlighting the need for good security on all bikes, not just the prestige brands.
Andy Barrs, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker, comments, “It’s clear from our figures that lower value motorcycles are a hot target for thieves. Opportunist criminals think nothing of taking a scooter or delivery bikes, such as the Peugeot Ludix or Tweet, which is why London is such a hot spot for these type of crimes.
“It’s vital that bike owners recognise the importance of good security measures. Tracker’s award winning SVR solutions won’t stop a bike being stolen, but it significantly increases the chances of police quickly locating and returning that vehicle to the owner, before it’s dismantled and sold on for parts. In addition, Tracker plays a key role in helping police close the net on motorcycle thieves.”
Specially developed to protect unpowered or infrequently used assets to avoid draining the battery, Battery Powered Tracker Retrieve has its own power source and does not need to be wired into the electrical system of a vehicle, making it ideal for motorcycles, including vintage bikes.
Unlike other stolen vehicle recovery devices, Tracker’s unique VHF technology can locate vehicles anywhere, even when they are hidden in a garage or shipping container. The high tech tracking technology is not blocked by GPS/GSM signal jammers and the signal can be picked up throughout the UK and parts of Europe, including France, Spain, Poland, Holland, Luxembourg and Italy - perfect for those planning a ride across the Continent.
|
Tracker’s Top Tips for Motorcycle Security: Motorbike Locks Always secure chain locks or cable locks to an immovable object, such as a lamp post. Always try to thread the chain or cable through the bike frame. Motorbike Alarms and Immobilisers A quality Thatcham approved, professionally fitted alarm system will not only deter a thief, but could also reduce insurance premiums. It’s crucial to get it fitted by a factory trained technician as modern bikes are sensitive to poorly fitted alarms. Mark Your Motorcycle Using a simple UV pen, mark parts of the motorcycle with the VIN (vehicle identification number), vehicle registration and postcode. Alternatively invest in an identification system. Remove Equipment As an added guard, remove the spark plug or HT cap. Be Seen! Always park the bike where it can be seen, day or night, by passers-by. Use Different Parking Spots Try to vary the places you park - sophisticated thieves will study parking habits and routines before making a theft. Use Public Secure Parking Most cities will have a secure parking area for motorcycles with fixed security hoops for locking chains. Garage If you have a garage, use it. Always put the bike away immediately and make sure the garage is properly secure. Consider putting in a ground anchor in the garage to lock the bike to. Protect what matters Invest in a stolen vehicle recovery system and be sure to chose one that is used by all UK police forces. It could also reduce insurance premiums. |
