Bike thieves won’t be so keen to get back in the saddle following a new crime prevention initiative just launched at a bike club in Derbyshire.

Bolsover & District Cycling Club, in association with Derbyshire Constabulary Basic Command Unit at Chesterfield, are offering discounted bike theft deterrent products such as cable locks and permanent bike marking kits via the club’s website to encourage cycle owners to protect their property.

PC Adam Galley of Derbyshire Police, said: “Most cycle thefts in the Bolsover district have been linked to shed burglaries; however there has also been some opportunist bike theft which we are keen to stamp out. When someone buys a bike for more than £100 they really don’t want it to go missing!”

PC Galley continued: “The link-up with Bolsover & District Cycling Club is a natural fit, as it is a popular outlet for local cycle enthusiasts and their families.”

“We launched the scheme in connection with Police-led Operation Relentless because we feel that anyone who has a bike worth hundreds of pounds can afford to buy a lock for it, or permanently mark it with a unique serial number and register it on BikeRegister, the national cycle database.”

“This means that if the worst happens and your bike is stolen then recovered by the Police, it can be traced back to you via the serial number.”

PC Galley adds “Bike thieves need to act quickly and if we can make them think twice about the risks involved, that might be enough to deter them completely.”

The scheme is being promoted by the Police via Operation Relentless and within the community at local events such as markets and town fairs. It is already proving popular with bike club members and their families, with many of them logging onto the club’s website (www.banddcc.org.uk) to increase their bike security.

Steve Crapper, Bolsover & District Cycling Club Chairman, said: “We are happy to make arrangements to apply the permanent marking solution for local cyclists. It is a simple process that literally takes a few minutes to do.”

He continued: “We want thieves to look at our bikes and say to themselves ‘Is it really worth me stealing this, especially when the bike is marked and it will be difficult to sell on?’.”

Bolsover & District Cycling Club has over 80 members and is keen to welcome any new bike enthusiasts.
Mr Crapper said: “We have a popular club here and offer the chance to take part in both recreational and competitive riding on, or off road.

“We are also a very family-oriented club, with regular Go-Ride coaching sessions available for under 16s, and well-planned rides that the whole family can enjoy.”

He concluded: “We are excited to be a part of Operation Relentless, which is not only providing valuable protection for our members, but also the wider cycling community.”

To find out more or to register interest in the scheme go to: www.banddcc.org.uk.
For further press information and images contact: Angela Singleton, Press Officer for Selectamark. Mobile: 07905 623 819. Email: [email protected]

For further information and images contact: Jodie Fisher, Marketing Executive for Selectamark.

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