Reduce Bike Theft
Crime Stoppers has partnered with BikeVault and Bicycle NSW to help reduce theft and increase the chances of stolen bikes being recovered.
Bike owners now have access to a free community service provided by BikeVault, where bike owners can store their bike’s details. So, in case it’s stolen and recovered, the bike can be tracked and returned to the owner. Combining the forces of industry Crime Stoppers works with the Police, bike owners and the wider community – to expose and defeat the illicit trade in stolen bikes.
Additionally, when buying a used bike, you can check to see if the bike you are buying is stolen property, ie. chain of custody.
With advancements in bike technology and some bikes now worth more cars, bikes are hot property, not just for bike lovers, but for thieves.
Bike sales are sitting at $1.2 million annually and this year has seen the demand surge by 60% compared to last year. Much of this has been brought on by COVID-19 with people wanting to move around in a COVID safe way as well as seeking a safe form of exercise for families. This demand has led to a shortage and put bikes on the radar for thieves to sell in the buoyant used bike market.
In the unfortunate event a bike is stolen, online support can assist owners in finding their bike and increase the odds of its recovery by police. A major part of bike recovery it’s the online community which helps bring awareness to the stolen bikes by having spotters who trawl for and report stolen bikes found for sale online and at less reputable retail premises.
The power of an informed community cannot be overestimated. Prior to the launch of this register, stolen bikes were easy to sell for quick profits with perpetrators having little fear of the stolen bike being identified and them being caught. Removing the pathways to safely sell and profit from stolen property is the ultimate deterrent to profit driven theft.
We want to encourage all bike owners to use this free service for your bike, increase its identification to deter thieves and make it easier to recover. If you are thinking of buying a bike check online before you purchase a bike to ensure it isn’t stolen and please report stolen bikes. With the community working together we can prevent and reduce crime in our community.
Crime Stoppers, BikeVault and Bicycle NSW will be working together on a dedicated campaign to garner a groundswell of community support and action to reduce bike theft.
More information or to enter your bike’s identification details can be found at: https://www.bikevault.com.au
