Warning after spate of high value bicycle thefts across the New Forest
Trend in expensive bikes being stolen
Hampshire Police have issued a warning to cyclists after a spate of expensive bicycle thefts across the New Forest.
Local officers have noticed a growing trend in high value bikes stolen in raids from sheds and garages.
There have been 26 incidents since November including in Fordingbridge and Ringwood with bikes worth between £2000-£7000 taken.
Police think it's likely that a number of the high value bikes will be being sold via online selling platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay especially as this process has grown in popularity across the last 12 months or so.
Anyone who sees bike brands such as Cube, Specialized, Bianchi and Cannondale being advertised for sale at a knock-down price or with very limited detail on these platforms should 'err on the side of caution as you could possibly be purchasing stolen property'
New Forest Police Inspector Darren Ord, said:
“We know how distressing burglary can be for victims, especially when it is cherished items or items of considerable personal value.
“Yet it is not just simply a case of those prized possessions being stolen, with that comes the emotional and mental impact that a burglary can have on people – often leaving them feeling unsafe in their own homes.
“Our officers provide support as part of our ongoing response to the incidents that are reported to us; hence why it is vital that if anyone sees anything suspicious that they report it to us. It allows our officers to build up an intelligence picture in the local area, meaning we can dedicate resources with a view to preventing offending before it has occurred.
“As always, if there is an emergency, or a crime is in progress, please dial 999 immediately.”
Tips to protect your bike
• If you regularly use Strava or a similar ride-tracking app, ensure your privacy settings are set to ‘private’; this means that your start and end points aren’t shared – which could identify your home address and where you probably store your bike
• Ensure that you have recent photos of your bike, and have recorded the frame numbers, in the event that they are stolen. This will allow us to trace the bike back to you if it is recovered.
• Consider using a Bike Register marking kit (overt or covert types are available)
• Register your bike for free at Bike Register and / or Immobilise We use these sites to reunite stolen or lost property with its rightful owner
• Ensure you use an approved Sold Secure "D" lock to secure your bike. Visit the Sold Secure website -- for more information.
• Always lock your bike through the frame to a solid structure that is fixed to the ground, preferably a dedicated bike rack - while making the locked bike difficult to manoeuvre. Keep any gaps between the lock and bike frame small.
If you see anything suspicious you should report this it via the Hampshire Constabulary website or by calling 101. As always, if it is an emergency, or a crime is in progress, please dial 999 immediately.