Raising awareness of bike crime and advising on how to secure bikes against theft using cycle locks and bike marking are the main aims of an initiative launched by The States of Jersey Police.

Sponsored by the People Against Crime Partnership, the launch of the Bike Crime Prevention Initiative took place recently at Liberty Wharf, St Helier, where crime reduction advice and assistance were given to over 150 bike owners throughout the day.

In attendance were the Jersey Crimestoppers organisation; DC Jeremy House from the States of Jersey Police Crime Reduction Unit; Roger Lyddon representing BikeRegister, the UK’s leading online bike registration initiative; and various Jersey-based bike companies.

Bike theft is a problem that is often reported to Jersey police with 100 bikes stolen from 1st October 2010 to 31st January 2011. Up to 70% of these bikes were taken from St Helier, with most of them disappearing from street racks. The bikes were worth up to £490 each.

As part of the new scheme, police are encouraging the use of bike locks as well as bike marking using BikeRegister kits from security company Selectamark. Each cyclist who attended the launch event at Liberty Wharf was given a kit and shown how to use it.

BikeRegister uses a permanent and visible chemical solution containing microdots that is applied to the bike frame to form a unique personal code. A security sticker is then stuck on each bike to show that it is security marked.

The details of the owner of the bike along with their address and postcode are then registered on secure online database bikeregister.com. If the bike is ever lost or stolen in future, it can be easily traced back to the owner.

DC Jeremy House warned bike owners on the Island: “It is important that you take the security of your bike seriously. Lock it securely when you park both in the open and when it is stored at home. Thieves can also take your bike saddle, wheels and lights if these are not secured.”

He continued: “You have probably spent a lot of money buying your bike, so the last thing you want is to be a victim of theft. That’s why it is so important to make sure that your bike is secure.”

PC House is now hoping to get funding so that all bike shops in Jersey can use BikeRegister kits to mark every cycle bought on the Island.

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.

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