Police Scotland has partnered with BikeRegister to help tackle bike thefts as part of an ongoing national campaign.

Pedal Protect launched in March 2021 to address the increasing trend in bike thefts experienced throughout Scotland in 2020. The campaign is being supported by officers from British Transport Police.

Police Scotland’s year to date figures in February 2021 showed over 4,900 reports of stolen cycles were made, a rise of 18% from the previous year.

In order to improve bike security, officers across the country have been hosting a range of BikeRegister bike marking events.

The scheme has already resulted in a 25% reduction in bike theft (Apr-June 2020 vs Apr-June 2021).

In addition, police have been engaging with bike retailers in towns and cities and many have now agreed to provide Pedal Protect and BikeRegister security information leaflets to customers who purchase a new bike.

Detective Superintendent Matt Paden, Police Scotland’s Acquisitive Crime Lead, said: “Across Scotland, cycling is a popular form of transport, as well as a recreational pastime and each year the public spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on buying bikes.”

He continued: “While bike theft typically takes place to allow thieves to make a quick sale, we now believe more expensive custom bikes are being targeted by organised crime groups so they can be resold for hefty prices, which fund their criminal operations.

“We have launched Pedal Protect because we will be conducting a range of intelligence-led activities to return stolen bikes to their rightful owners, but also to encourage all of those who currently own, or who are considering buying a bike, to invest in appropriate security.”

Supporting the Pedal Protect campaign is record-breaking Scottish cyclist, Mark Beaumont (pictured in the red jacket). Mark added: “I’m really happy that Police Scotland has launched Pedal Protect, because not only are they taking the investigation of any stolen bike seriously but are working hard to educate the public on how to safeguard their bikes."

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

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