For free, Merseyside Police will register and security-mark new bikes given to people this Christmas in an effort to ward off thieves and keep them from being lost or stolen.
In January and early in the New Year, officers will be holding bike-marking events in collaboration with Bike Register.
The national bike marking and registration programme for the UK is called Bike Register, and it aims to identify stolen bikes, lower the number of cycle thefts, and return recovered bikes to their rightful owners.
Merseyside Police officers will be available to register bikes on the national database, mark them for security, and offer advice on how to lock them securely to discourage thieves.
PC Pippa Wilcox, Prevention Hub said:
“Bikes registered through an official bike marking scheme are 83% less likely to be stolen, so it is something we highly recommend.
“Through our partnership with Bike Register we have reunited a number of stolen bikes to their rightful owners. Registering a bike helps deter thieves as it then becomes harder to sell on. It also helps identify the owner of a bike in the event of it being lost or stolen.
“If you were lucky enough to receive or gift a new bike to a loved one this Christmas, or you would like to have your existing bike marked, then please come along to one of our bike marking events.”
Upcoming bike marking events
- Friday 29 December – Sefton Park, 10AM – 2PM
- Wednesday 3 January – Edge Lane Retail Park 10AM – 12PM
- Wednesday 3 January – Huyton Village, 10AM – 12PM
- Thursday 4 January – Halewood shops, 2PM – 4PM
- Friday 5 January – Unit 18 Newtown Gardens, 9AM – 12PM
- Friday 5 January – Monument Place, London Road, 10AM – 1PM
- Saturday 6 January – Unit 18 Newtown Gardens, 12PM – 4PM
- Saturday 6 January – Dovecot shops, 5PM – 7PM
- Saturday 6 January – Prescot Cables, 4PM – 6PM
- Sunday 7 January – Unit 18 Newtown Gardens, 12PM – 4PM
Although Merseyside Police and Bike Register have collaborated for a while, they have stepped up their efforts to combat theft and robbery of expensive bikes during the past six months.
More than 600 bikes have been registered since July 2023 at events held in schools, churches, supermarkets, and by forging close relationships with bike retailers.
There has been a notable and consistent decrease in bike thefts in Wirral since the implementation of the bike marking programme. The regions areas of Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens, and Knowsley are currently receiving the programme.
If you are unable to attend an event, you can register your bike at www.bikeregister.com/join.
Follow Merseyside Police’s social media channels for upcoming bike marking events near you.
For more practical tips on how to protect your bike from theft, visit their website here.
READ MORE: VETERANS RESTORE BIKES DONATED BY POLICE TO HELP LOCAL PEOPLE
