Bike thefts in Andover (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Bike thefts in Andover

2:38pm Friday 19th October 2012 in Andover

A NUMBER of bikes have been stolen in Andover, prompting police calls to be vigilant.

In the past six weeks there have been nine reports of bikes being stolen from gardens. The majority of those taken were left insecure and occurred in the areas around King Arthur’s Way and Pilgrims Way.

Inspector Paul Markham, from Andover police station, said: “Many of the bikes stolen were left insecure in back gardens and were therefore an easy target for thieves.

“Others were locked together in gardens but not to an immovable object. One of the bikes was stolen from a balcony at a block of flats which demonstrates the need for securing your bike even when you think it cannot be reached.

“I am advising bicycle owners to review their security to ensure their bike is as safe as it can be.”

Police have advised people to get a good lock – preferably a D-lock – and attach their bike to something secure.

It is a good idea to have your bike frame security marked or engraved and to register it with schemes such as Immobilise or Bike Register.

Bikes should also be kept in a secure garage or shed.

Police Community Support Officer Rebecca Williams, from the Alamein Safer Neighbourhoods team, runs a bike marking session every Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm at the Askalot Community Centre, in Atholl Court, King Arthur’s Way.

PCSO Williams said: “Marking your bike with your postcode can be a deterrent to thieves and it also assists the police to reunite stolen property with its rightful owner should it be recovered.”

Anyone with information about the bike thefts in the Andover area should contact the Safer Neighbourhoods team at Andover police station by phoning 101.