700 take part in Bristol bike theft awareness ride

Approximately 700 riders took part in a group ride out in Bristol on Saturday September 30 to raise awareness of the growing motorcycle theft problem in the area.

The ride set out from Dick Lovett BMW Motorrad on the outskirts of Bristol, and finished at Fowlers Motorcycles in the city centre.

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Bristol has seen an increase in bike crime recently, especially in the north of the city where groups are stealing bikes to then use for joy riding and to post pictures on social media.

Bike crime in the UK

London has the largest problem with bike crime in the UK by far. Between July 2016 and June 2017 there were 14,943 thefts of “powered two-wheel vehicles”, which accounted for 50% of all vehicles stolen in London –it’s a massive 30% increase on the previous year. According to the Motorcycle Industry Association, 60% of all recorded bike thefts in the UK were in London last year .

The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Venice to tackle powered-two-wheeler crime in the capital. Speaking to MCN, Director of Media and Communication at the Metropolitan Police Service, Mark Ottowell, said: “Operation Venice officers conduct targeted operations throughout London to prevent and detect moped theft.

“The operations include mass checks on stationary and moving powered two wheelers, raids on individuals suspected of stealing motorcycles and mopeds or using them to commit crimes, high visibility patrols in key areas, Automatic Number Plate Reader deployments and provision of free locks to owners at motorcycle parking bays.”

Recently a Sheffield MP also called for police to be given more powers to pursue bike thieves.

Have you seen an increase of bike theft in your area? Let us know by getting in touch with us via Facebook and Twitter.

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