The Western Region Action Group |
16 December 2003 |
If you are buying a moped or scooter this Christmas, get a decent lock that's the simple message from police.
Since April 2003, 482 mopeds and scooters have been reported stolen throughout the Avon and Somerset force area, with Piaggio and Honda makes the most commonly targeted.
"As car security becomes more and more sophisticated, people are turning their attention to mopeds and scooters," Crime Reduction Officer PC Inge Jacobs explains. "They're increasingly being stolen by young people both to drive at high speeds and commit crime.
"We've seen a substantial increase in the number of incidents over the last year, and the simple fact is that the ones stolen have either been left insecure or locked to moveable objects.
"The majority of thefts are carried out by young people who don't go equipped with specialist tools, so it is vulnerable ones that are being taken. We're urging people not to be an easy target if you spend up to £3,000 on a bike, fork out an extra £50 for a decent lock and spend time finding a suitable object to lock it to. Mopeds and scooters are incredibly light and can easily be picked up and wheeled away."
PC Jacobs is going out to training centres and secondary schools across North Bristol from Monday December 15 to talk direct to young people about the best way to secure them.
Bristol police have teamed up with local businesses to offer discounts on security products. Speedwell Motorcycles on Fernhurst Road, Pen Park Scooters in Southmead, Kellaway Motorcycles in Horfield, PJB Security in Fishponds and George White in Shirehampton are all offering discounts on presentation of this article.
People should look out for the "Sold Secure" logo on locks, which guarantees that they are of a high quality.
More information on how to secure your moped or scooter is available from the Crime Reduction Unit at Southmead Police Station on 01275 818181 or the force website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
15/12/2003 12:32:59
http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/newsroom2/news_display.asp?NewsStoryID=2481