Announcing a new and free National Bike Register to combat bicycle theft
Crime Stoppers Australia and Data Dot Technology (ASX: DDT) have today announced the creation of a FREE National Bike Register to combat the growing trend of bicycle theft across the country.
A huge increase in the sale of bicycles (market growth of an average of 20% per annum) and the influx of high-end bikes has led in turn to a rise in thefts.
From January to November last year, more than 5,800 bikes were reported stolen in New South Wales alone.
The A.C.T. has reported a 25 per cent hike in thefts and Victoria has seen a 10 per cent rise, at a cost of almost four million dollars.
The National Bike Register would allow owners to log information about their bicycles and bike parts into a database, developed and maintained by Data Dot Technology Ltd. At no cost to them.
Under the initiative, when a registered bicycle is stolen, the owner can report the theft to Crime Stoppers and police can access the National Bike Register for identification details.
Another huge benefit is that this will create a “Chain of Custody” for the property. In the event that someone wishes to sell his or her bike, the true and rightful owner can be verified.
“We have been working with Data Dot on this for almost 2 years now and it is finally publicly available and it’s FREE,” Crime Stoppers Australia Director, Peter Price OAM, said.
“When you consider that up to 20 per cent of bike thefts aren’t even reported to police, this will prove to be an enormously valuable resource to the community as well as the authorities,” he added.
“This collaboration with Crime Stoppers and input from operational police will surely have an impact on bike theft,” Data Dot Technology Chief Executive Officer, Temogen Hield, said, “Our view is that if people know a bike is registered then it’s far more difficult to sell if stolen.”
New South Wales Police say the register would provide bike owners with additional protection.
“We are happy to lend our support to any legitimate program that can prevent property crime,” said the Force’s Corporate Sponsor of Crime Prevention, Chief Superintendent Brad Shepherd.
For further inquiries please contact:
Peter Price OAM
Crime Stoppers Australia
0487 333 000