Lock up your pride and joy

[billinom8s]

Just going down the rabbit hole online and found some scary info about the rise in bike theft - you've been warned....

UK Motorbike theft
Motorbikes are becoming an increasingly popular method of transport in the UK, with new bike prices ranging from £1,000 to £20,000 dependent on the make of the bike. Surprisingly though, most bikes irrespective of price are not fitted with additional security measures as standard.

A recent survey by the National Crime Intelligence Service (NCIS) based on the latest police figures on vehicle crime and performance bikes (500cc and above) has revealed some shocking statistics. More motorbikes are stolen in the UK than are bought new, and it takes on average 20 seconds to steal a motorcycle worth £10,000. The survey is also the first to reveal some of the UK's danger spots for motorcycle crime, and as such has been distributed to police forces around the country.

"£3 million worth of motorbikes from UK streets every month"

The report has shown that the theft of motorbikes in the UK has allowed criminal groups to steal £3 million worth of motorbikes from UK streets every month. Thefts are primarily undertaken to sell parts on the black market, although joyriding is also cited as a main cause.

The report is part of Project Contrail, which targets the organised theft of high-powered motorcycles and is seen by many as a prelude to new bikes being registered as a legal requirement (similar to the car register requirement issued by the Home Office). Other results show the thefts are undertaken by a dozen well known, highly organised gangs.
"More motorbikes are stolen in the UK than are bought new"

Some of the key findings in the report include:

More thefts occur in large urban areas.
The thefts are undertaken by a dozen well known, highly organised gangs.
80% of bikes stolen from an owner's home.
Thefts are concentrated around Central London, probably linked to patterns of commuting.
The top five areas for theft include West Yorkshire, West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
The top four makes of motorcycle that account for over 85 per cent of thefts are Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasaki's, and Suzuki's.
The Honda CBR 600 is the hottest bike, which retails at £5000, with 350 of them stolen between July and September 2002.

Steven Powell, Head of the Project Team for NCIS's Organised Vehicle Crime Section (OVCS), said:

"It is an appalling statistic that more motorcycles are stolen in the UK than were bought new. Urban centres are worst hit, and one favoured modus operandi is simple but effective. The criminals drive a large van up to a motorcycle where accomplices open the van door, thrust scaffolding poles through the wheels, and lift the bike into their vehicle. It takes as little as 20 seconds to steal a bike worth £10,000, and only 16 per cent of stolen bikes are recovered."
How to reduce the chance of theft?
There are a number of ways to reduce the chance of theft, which include:

After sales fittings:

As annoying as it is most manufactures may not fit your bike with a Thatchem 2-3 way immobiliser it is worth investing in one, as this is the primary method of defence.
Buy additional security locks and remote alarms.
Try and park in Motorcycle designated areas where ground anchors are found. Although there are not a large number of these areas, they are more secure and growing in number.
If possible install a ground anchor at your home address and always keep the bike out of site.
Make sure you are suitably insured from a recognised motorbike insurer
Consider investing in a dedicated motorcycle garage.

* statistics and article provided by www. talk talk.co.uk

How many bikes were stolen in the UK in 2022?
74,421 bike thefts were reported to England and Wales police between July 2021 and June 2022. That means that a bike was stolen every 7 minutes in England & Wales in 2022

[Ruffian]

Yep scary numbers.
Proper sucky that almost getting to the point can't have anything nice.

[Jug]

What is dedicated motorcycle garage?
I did see a vid from Bennetts (bikesocial) suggesting a purpose made 'bike shed' might actually be safer than an average brick build garage due to typical garage doors being easy to get through.

[Ming]

Most of the bike theft in Torbay is done by teenager scrotes wearing balaclavas and hoodies, no helmet as they know the police aren't allowed to chase or make tactical contact. I've seen them in broad daylight tearing through the lanes after hot wiring some poor sod's pride and joy. Mostly scooters and small capacity bikes they go for - maybe they're easier to start as they may not have immobilisers

[Kata]

New bikes up to £20k? Ducati owners must be breathing a sigh of relief.

[Jay]

Scary stuff !!

[menzies3032]

If there is one thing that I have realised, if a thief has decided he is steeling your bike…. He is steeling your bike and very very little you can do to stop him. Personally mine is in a garage, with multiple heavy duty chains and locks on it, along with a S5 DataTool GPS tag on it with live tracking. So it’s about as good as it get but quite sure if somebody is going to nic it, it’s going no matter what.

[bkingalan]

Just ordered a biketrac tracker for the MV with the hope that it can be found quickly but as Rob said if they want it their take it

[Bilko1000]

I'd rather hope it didn't need finding at all Al

[ptolemyx]

Being out in a place the rest of the world doesn't seem to know exists the risk for me is hopefully less than in towns and cities. Also I believe my garaging is more secure than most. However I've stumped up the cost of Biketrac trackers on the old nail and the little 'un. Despite it being an old nail the Busa is a particular target, the motor being a favourite for kit cars.

[bkingalan]

I'd rather hope it didn't need finding at all Al

Think we all would agree with you on that Darren

[Jug]

But would you want it back after it had been taken?

I suppose if it had just been pushed to a nearby hiding place and not run (or damaged much) then yes.
If it had been "joy ridden" and possibly bashed around a bit then I think I'd rather not see it again.

Only other bonus I can see of having a tracker is the chance that the thieve might then get caught, or someone in the group that handles the stolen the bikes.