News Release
Lock it or risk losing it.
Dated: 09 Feb 2010
Students are being urged to keep their bikes secure following a spate of cycle thefts in the centre of Newcastle.
The City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team is issuing crime prevention advice to cyclists and advising them not to keep their bikes in one place for too long.
City Centre Neighbourhood Sergeant Paul Hamilton said: "We know lots of people like to use their bikes to travel to work, school, university or simply into the city centre as the weather gets brighter and sunnier as we head into spring.
"We don't want to discourage people from cycling into town in any way but we want to advise them how they can avoid becoming a victim of crime.
"Cyclists should use a D Lock, they should lock their bikes to immovable objects and secured through the frame, with moveable parts, such as wheels or seats, also secured.
"People should also consider using more than one type of lock at the same time, such as combining a D Lock with a cycle chain, as it takes different tools to remove them illegally.
"They should consider buying a security marking device, and lock up their bikes in areas covered by CCTV which are well lit and passed through by the public.
"Cyclists should also register their bike's frame number with the National Property register at http://www.immobilise.com."
During last year's bike security campaign the City Centre Neighbourhood Team filmed a crime prevention video which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6xnkEkP2WY
The City Centre Team can be contact on 03456 043 043.