Security advice shared with motorcycle owners as police target thieves

Motorcyclists in the Corby area are being urged to secure their bikes as Northamptonshire Police cracks down on would-be thieves.

Since the start of the year, the Force has received more than 30 reports of motorbike thefts in Corby and surrounding villages.

Many thefts have taken place from outbuildings, with some offenders using multiple tools including bolt croppers and axes to gain access and steal motorcycles.

To tackle the issue, Response officers have been focusing on proactive patrols in hotspot areas, and are working with Neighbourhood Policing Team colleagues to identify suspects and Roads Policing colleagues to pursue and detain offenders.

Officers are also sharing crime prevention advice for motorcycle owners to help them protect their machines.

PC Katy Roffe, of Corby Response, said: “We know people’s motorcycles are often their pride and joy, and we’re working hard to prevent further offending and catch those responsible for these thefts.

“Alongside our proactive work, we’re urging owners to take preventative steps to protect their bikes, which will also help us in reducing these crimes. Using multiple security measures together protect your motorbike by making it harder to steal, and therefore less attractive to criminals.

“I would urge anyone who sees any suspicious activity or who has information about motorcycle theft to report it to us – the more detail we have, the better it supports our work to prevent and detect crime.”

Advice for motorcycle owners:

• Always lock your bike’s steering, and use a disc lock on the rear wheel of your motorbike, or a D-lock. Find police-approved security products at securedbydesign.com and www.soldsecure.com
• Chain the motorbike to a solid immovable object like a ground anchor or street furniture. Otherwise, thread the chain through the frame and back wheel
• If you store your motorcycle outside, use a cover to help deter thieves
• Mark your motorcycle – customise it by marking rims, frame, handlebars to make it easily identified and less attractive to thieves
• Park it in a well-lit overlooked area, or inside a secure and locked shed or garage
• When out and about, use an accredited carpark – visit parkmark.co.uk to find one
• Install CCTV around your address
• Ensure your motorbikes are correctly registered in your name and are insured
• If selling a motorcycle on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, don’t include your address in the advert and take care to avoid photos which could give away your bike’s location
• Store keys securely, well away from the front door of the address
• Install motion-activated lighting in unlit areas

For further advice, you can email [email protected]

Find more crime prevention advice here.

Report suspicious activity or non-emergency crime by calling 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. In an emergency, where a crime is in progress or life is at risk, always call 999.

Information can also be shared anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information