In 2023, Hampshire and IOW Constabulary was the third highest force for bicycle thefts in England. Force Crime Prevention Advisors Donna Grover and Victoria Snow identified key challenges, including the lack of a consistent bike-marking approach and the fact that many owners didn’t know their bike’s frame number. These gaps made it harder to recover stolen bicycles and deter theft.

To tackle the problem, the Force secured funding for 6,500 BikeRegister QR Marking Stickers, which were distributed to all 13 Districts in December 2023. 25 PCSOs and PCs volunteered as BikeRegister Leads, running marking events, raising awareness in their local communities, liaising with partners, and working with analysts to identify theft hotspots for future events. The initiative has already received positive feedback from officers, staff, and the public.

Following this success, further funding has been secured to expand the programme into areas of serious violence, anti-social behaviour hotspots, and colleges and universities. Bike marking in these areas allows Officers to meet their objective to “Be Visible, Be Observant, and Be Engaging” and gives the public an opportunity to speak to the police under the guise of getting a bike marked (particularly in areas where speaking to the police is frowned upon locally).

By linking bicycles to their rightful owners, BikeRegister makes stolen property harder to sell and easier to recover. The initiative is a vital part of Hampshire and IOW Constabulary’s efforts to reduce cycle-related crime and keep communities safer, working in partnership to tackle the problem.

For further information and images contact: Victoria Clark, Marketing Executive for Selectamark.

Phone: +44 (0)1689 487829
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @bikeregister