People buying new bicycles this month can have them security marked and registered by officers from the Transport for London-funded Metropolitan Police Service Safer Transport Command (STC). 

Officers from the 32 borough Safer Transport Teams and the Cycle Task Force, have joined forces with bike shops across the Capital to hold bike marking and registration days throughout December. 

Officers will be using BikeRegister, the MPS preferred cycle register to register bikes and will also give London’s cyclists advice on how to lock up their bikes securely in order to deter cycle theft. 

The MPS have recently selected BikeRegister as the preferred cycle register for London. By registering the bike, it helps the police and retailers identify and verify the legitimate owner of bikes that have been stolen or are being resold. Over 23,000 bikes have been marked and registered onto BikeRegister by the MPS since June 2010.

Officers will be marking bikes throughout December. Visit the Events page for details of local marking events.

Cycle Task Force Chief Inspector Ian Vincent, said: “We want Londoners to enjoy cycling this Christmas so if you are out buying a bike this month, come and get it security marked and registered for free. 

“We advise any cyclist to follow ‘the three R’s’ - Record the details of their bike, Register them onto online property databases like http://www.bikeregister.com and Report any theft to the police. These are simple steps that all cyclists should take so that if their bike is stolen they stand a good chance of being reunited with it.”

The whole cycle marking process only takes a few minutes as officers apply a unique permanent marking to the frame of the bike. Officers will also register details about the owner and the bike onto BikeRegister’s secure database. BikeRegister then sends the bike’s owner instructions on how to access their personal logbook, which can be used as proof of ownership.

TfL and the STC are working together to continue to reduce cycle theft in London. The partnership efforts to deal with cycle theft in London have seen offences fall by 5.4% (1,253 fewer victims) since 2009/10 when cycle theft peaked in London. 

One key element to their approach to cycle theft reduction was the introduction of the Cycle Task Force as a dedicated team of 30 officers to tackle cycle theft in the Capital. They tackle organised cycle theft through proactive investigations and operations, as well as disrupting the trade of stolen second-hand bikes and bicycle parts through working with online websites and running undercover operations and high visibility patrols in hotspot areas.

Andrew Knights, Managing Director of Selectamark, the company that owns and maintains Bikeregister, said: “Bikeregister is delighted to help promote the Mayor’s cycling revolution by supporting the MPS cycle task force bike theft reduction strategy. 

“We have seen a notable increase in the identification of stolen bikes since the initiative started, and in the run up to Christmas, Bikeregister will be an invaluable aid to officers on the streets helping them take immediate action against suspected bike thieves.” 

Mike Hedgecox, Evans Cycles People and Stores Director, said: “Evans Cycles are proud to support cycle security awareness initiatives such as the Cycle Task Force’s bike registering campaign. As experts in cycling, we know how looking after your bike can make a big difference to help combat theft.”

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