Free cycle security marking events hailed a success

Cyclists in Northampton have taken advantage of free security marking events to help their local neighbourhood policing team put the brakes on crime.

More than 120 cyclists had their bikes security marked at four crime prevention drop-in sessions organised by the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team and West Northamptonshire Council staff to help reduce bike thefts.

All cycles were registered on the police-approved national database, BikeRegister, with eight logged using QR codes, while a further 118 had their frames etched with a security stencil.

In addition to bikes being security marked, the Police Community Support Officers also handed out over 180 Secured by Design bike locks and extension cables, funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Streets fund.

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold has invested a total of £1.4 million in Home Office funding to carry out crime prevention projects in Northampton, Wellingborough and Kettering to make people safer.

Some of the funding spent in Northampton has targeted cycle security, including these socially distanced cycle marking events held at the town’s Racecourse, at community rooms in Market Street and Vernon Terrace and Northampton General Hospital.

Northampton Crime Prevention Officer Kate Bailey said: “All four drop-in sessions were a great success and we were delighted with the number of people who came along and spoke to the neighbourhood policing team.

“Events such as these enables us to provide cyclists with the right security tools and crime prevention information to help them protect their bikes and could help stop them from becoming a victim of a theft.

“This was reflected in the positive feedback we received from those who attended the events, who believed that by having their bike security marked for free would help to reduce bike thefts in the town.”

Further marking events are planned for August, details will be published on the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team’s Facebook and Twitter pages nearer the time.

More information on BikeRegister, can be found at www.bikeregister.com or for general crime prevention advice visit www.northants.police.uk/crime-prevention