A bike marking event will be held in Wellingborough on Monday.
The Wellingborough Safer Community Team will be outside McDonald’s on the High Street between 10am and 3pm.
Anyone who wishes to have their bike security marked using overt methods such as postcode etching and covert methods such as electronic tagging is welcome to attend and will be seen on a first come first served basis.
Officers will also be on hand to give other advice on bike security and general crime prevention advice.
Paul Golley Crime Prevention Officer for Northamptonshire Police said: “Thieves often target items and valuables which they can easily remove or change the original manufacturer's identification marks to disguise the fact they are stolen when selling on.
“By using covert and overt security methods in conjunction with one another, it makes a thief’s job in removing the owner’s identity very hard, which in turn allows an officer to identify the correct owner more effectively.”
The advice police are giving people when asked Why have your bike security marked? is as follows:
- An electronic tag is roughly the size of a grain of rice and can be easily installed. Because of its tiny size, criminals will not be able to find or get to the electronic tag. The number cannot be altered or deleted
- Overt warning labels deter criminals. This devalues the product to a criminal and makes it harder to sell on
- Police can access the database 24/7- so if your bike is stolen all your bike details including the transponder code can be searched and traced back to you.
- Owners with security marked cycles may benefit from reduced premiums from the major insurers.
