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Bike Theft Index 2005
The Bike Theft Index shows which makes and groups (based on engine capacity – cc) of bikes are most at risk of being stolen in England, Scotland and Wales. It is based on theft data taken from the Police National Computer (PNC) in 2003 and on information provided by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) on the number of bikes on the road.
Title: Bike Theft Index 2005
Author: Home Office
Number of pages: 28
Date published: December 2005
Availability:
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PDF 1.09Mb
In the report, each make of bike is split into a group based on engine capacity or style as registered with the DVLA. The left-hand side of each table lists the makes of bike alphabetically. The right-hand side shows 3-year age bands for when the bike was first registered. To assess whether a particular moped, scooter or motorbike has a high, medium or low risk of theft read along the line to the right until you find the column showing the 3–year band in which the bike was first registered. The coloured block at this point indicates the theft risk.
Protecting your bike
Bikes are an easy target for thieves if they are not secured as they can be wheeled away or bundled into a van. The snapshot of bike theft given in this index shows that mopeds, scooters and other smaller-engined bikes are most at risk of theft. This is seen as a reflection of the growing popularity of mopeds and scooters as commuter bikes. More generally, newer bikes are consistently most at risk.
With the continued support of manufacturers including security features such as immobilisers or parts marking as standard, and increased awareness and use of security devices by riders, this problem can be tackled more effectively. The more security measures you can take, the less attractive your bike will be to thieves. No single product can cover all possibilities, but if you invest in both mechanical and electronic security devices, you will greatly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of this particularly disruptive type of theft.
Electronic security
Owners of more vulnerable bikes can help reduce the risk of theft by using properly installed Thatcham compliant or Sold Secure approved security devices. Some security devices may get you a discount on your insurance (up to 10% for immobilisers).
Mechanical security
Whatever type of mechanical security you opt for remember:
Although it is difficult to carry around, it does act as a good deterrent to casual thieves;
Always try to secure your bike to something solid and immovable, such as a ground anchor. Keep locks and chains off the ground – this makes them harder to break. A common method of bike theft is simply to lift the vehicle into the back of a van.
Don't rely on this form of security alone.
Parking
Park in safe, well lit areas. Try to look for a public car park that is part of the police approved 'Safer Parking Scheme'. For further information and location of your nearest accredited safer car park scheme go to www.saferparking.com
Use a bike cover whenever your bike isn't garaged.
Parts marking and identification systems
Put security marking on as many parts of your bike as you can. This will make it less attractive to opportunist thieves and will increase your chance of getting your bike back if it is stolen and then recovered.
Getting a copy
Download Bike Theft Index 2005
PDF 1.09Mb
Last update: 22 December 2005