Over 9,000 scooters, motorcycles and mopeds were stolen in London in the last year.
It takes a matter of seconds for a thief to steal a moped, scooter or motorcycle, especially if they are left either unsecured or with inadequate security.
Lock, chain, cover
Reduce your risk o becoming a victim by taking teps to layer your security.
Lock
Use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc, or a grip lock to secure the brake and throttle controls. You could also use a D lock on the front wheel to stop it being wheeled away.
Chain
Thieves often steal a bike by breaking the steering lock and wheeling it away. Use a chain lock through the back wheel (the front wheel can be removed). Secure your bike, with the lock taut to an immovable object such as a ground anchor or street furniture. This will stop thieves from cutting a lock trailing on the ground using an angle grinder. If this isn’t possible, thread the chain through your bike frame and back wheel.
Cover
Thieves often ‘shop’ for particular bike models. Using a cover instantly makes it less attractive to them. A cover also provides another time consuming obstacle for the thief. Unfortunately security measures can’t guarantee your bike won’t be stolen but, by using multiple security measures, you can make it harder and less attractive for thieves.
For security products for your scooter, motorcycle or moped search the ‘Accredited products’ page on the Secured by Design website – this is a police approved website.
Remove the keys
Thieves are often opportunists and so they will look for bikes that are quick and easy to steal first.
- Always use the steering lock and remove the ignition keys, even if you are close by or away for a few minutes. It only takes a few seconds for a thief so don’t make it easy for them.
- Never rely on just using your steering lock to secure your bike as thieves can break the steering lock and simply wheel the bike away.
Fitting an alarm can be a deterrent to thieves
- Consider fitting a Thatcham-rated 1 or 2 alarm system with tracking, immobilisation, anti-grab and movement sensors can help protect and trace your vehicle.
- A quality Thatcham approved, professionally fitted alarm system will not only put off thieves, but could also reduce your insurance premiums.
Propery mark parts
- Marking as much of your bike as possible will make it more difficult for criminals to sell parts on, and therefore less attractive to steal. It will also help police identify parts and return recovered stolen bikes.
- There are a range of bike marking providers that you can use.
When at home the best place to keep your motorcycle, moped or scooter is in your garage or shed
- Fit a garage door defender or upgrade garage door locks.
- Garage and shed alarms as well as low level dusk to dawn lighting will also enhance security. Fitting a ground anchor also provides extra security.
- Motorcycle lockers are also available to store your bike at home.
Find out more on shed and garage security
No shed or garage? Park in the safest place you can
- Park it in an area near to your home where it’s well overlooked with good lighting.
- A Park Mark approved car park has a higher level of security than other car parks.
If your bike is stolen, never put yourself at risk. Call police immediately on 999 if you see it being stolen or report it online or call 101 if you discover it has gone.
What police are doing to reduce scooter theft
- Regular operations to identify, disrupt and arrest offenders.
- Mounting operations to arrest those responsible; using faster bikes to catch criminals, “stinger” devices to deflate tyres and a forensic spray to mark individuals committing offences.
- Working with Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) providers to ensure scooter security awareness is embedded as part of training new riders.
- Working with employers in hotspot areas to run events to educate staff.
- Educating the public on the steps they can take to help reduce their vulnerability to both theft of scooters and theft snatch.
- Speaking to companies that use scooters as delivery vehicles about strategies to improve the safety of their bikes.
- Launching a marketing campaign to raise awaresness of the risk to help riders adopt long term changes to better secure their bikes.
Help to reduce further crime
Stolen scooters are increasingly being used to commit further crimes, such as phone snatches. By protecting your scooter you could help to reduce other crimes.
Police are working hard to identify and arrest offenders that use scooters to commit theft and robbery across London.
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