With bike theft on the increase throughout the West Midlands, Lichfield BID (Business Improvement District) is taking action and partnering with BikeRegister, the national cycle database, to host a series of bike marking events to increase public awareness and as a deterrent to bike thieves.

Safer City Services, the crime prevention arm of the BID, were delighted with the turnout for their first event at a local bike shop which included bike enthusiasts and commuters arriving with their pride and joy so that it could be marked with a unique BikeRegister ID and registered on the national cycle database.

BikeRegister is the leading online bicycle identification and registration initiative aiming to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and assist in owner recovery. It is used by all UK Police forces and is accredited by Secured by Design.

Any marked bikes that are found by BID Support Officers and West Midlands Police will have their unique code searched on the BikeRegister database which can confirm if the bike has been reported stolen. The rightful owner can then be contacted and reunited with their property.

Councils and BIDs across the UK have been actively promoting bike marking to help local residents and members protect their bikes and aid their safe return if they are stolen.

Another BID in Hammersmith, London, recently started a bike marking initiative in a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police. Prolific bike thieves in the area have already been arrested and bikes recovered as a result.

Lichfield BID is planning more bike marking events in the New Year with the aim of significantly reducing bike theft in the area.
 

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

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