The Met Police has launched the second phase of its Be Safe campaign, which is aimed at reducing both scooter and motorcycle theft in the capital, and also other crimes that involve the use of stolen powered-two-wheelers.
'Lock, chain, and cover' is the message of the Met's new 'Be Safe' campaign. This urges riders of scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds to use extra security on their vehicles to make it harder for thieves to steal them.
Almost 23,500 crimes were committed in London last year using over 14,000 stolen scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds. Along with offences such as robberies, burglaries, and theft-snatches, in some cases these stolen vehicles were also used in violent crimes, and to transport weapons and drugs to be used in further crimes.
The advice being given to riders is:
- Lock: use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc, or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls.
- Chain: use a chain lock through the back wheel. Secure your bike, with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture.
- Cover the bike as it makes it less attractive and harder for thieves to steal.
Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, Territorial Policing, said: "We have put a huge amount of effort into stemming the rise in moped-enabled crime, and are now seeing reductions, which is great. However, we are not complacent. All the new tactics and technology we have introduced will be backed up by really proactive policing.
"We will keep arresting offenders and running proactive intelligence led operations to make the streets more hostile for criminals to operate. Also, through focusing our efforts on dismantling markets for stolen goods we will make these crimes less financially beneficial.
"Today, I'd like to ask all scooter or moped users in London to become a part of our effort to make life harder for these criminals. Lock, chain, and cover your bike when you leave it. It is simple, yet effective, and if it makes a thief think twice before stealing your bike then it's worth it."
Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association, said: "The motorcycle industry is working closely with the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office to help tackle scooter theft and associated crimes, and spread the message that locking and covering a motorcycle or scooter will make it a less desirable target to opportunistic thieves. We are therefore calling on all owners of powered two wheelers and everyone working in the industry to get behind a culture of always using physical security."