Wednesday 31 March 2021
Launch of National Bike Theft Campaign
Police Scotland has launched a national campaign to tackle the rising number of bike thefts taking place across the country and to raise awareness of bike security within the cycling community.
Pedal Protect officially kicked off on Friday 26 March, 2021, to address the increasing trend in bike thefts, which has been experienced throughout Scotland in the past year. It will also be supported by colleagues from British Transport Police.
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and downward trend in various acquisitive crime offences, Police Scotland’s year to date figures in February 2021 showed over 4900 reports of stolen cycles were made. This is a rise of 18% from the previous year.
Often these crimes are motivated by opportunity, with those responsible taking advantage of poor or non-existent security measures in place when leaving bikes unattended, or storing them within sheds, garages and other outbuildings.
The launch of Pedal Protect took place at Fettes Police Station in Edinburgh, where officers highlighted the significant number of lost and stolen bikes that come into police possession on a weekly basis.
In order to improve bike security officers across the country will be hosting a range of bike marking events and will publicise these on the Police Scotland social media channels.
In addition, police have been engaging with bike retailers in towns and cities and many have now agreed to provide Pedal Protect and Bike Register security information leaflets to customers who purchase a new bike.
Local policing teams will also continue to gather intelligence on bike thefts taking place in their communities, and carry out appropriate enforcement action when required. The public are asked to come forward with any information relating to the theft of bikes within their communities.
Detective Superintendent Matt Paden, Police Scotland Acquisitive Crime Lead, said: “Across Scotland, cycling is a popular form of transport, as well as a recreational pastime and each year the public spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on buying bikes”
“Despite the significant sums of money people spend on a bike, the amount spent on security pales in comparison. Stealing a bike is often seen as an attractive option for those involved in acquisitive crime, as to do so is normally a quick process, with modest security measures in place, easy to overcome.”
“While bike theft typically takes place to allow thieves to make a quick sale, we now believe more expensive custom bikes are being targeted by organised crime groups so they can be resold for hefty prices, which fund their criminal operations.
“We have launched Pedal Protect because we will be conducting a range of intelligence-led activity to return stolen bikes to their rightful owners, but also to encourage all of those who currently own, or who are considering buying a bike, to invest in appropriate security.
“Our Police Scotland website has a range of useful information on keeping your bike safe available at www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-bicycle
“I would also urge anyone who has had a bike lost or stolen to regularly check in with their local policing division and provide all relevant details so we can return as many recovered bikes as possible, often cycles are recovered but no one comes forward to claim them”
Supporting the Pedal Protect campaign is record-breaking Scottish cyclist, Mark Beaumont.
Attending the launch, Mark Beaumont added: “A bike can cost anything from a couple of hundred pounds, to several thousand pounds, but no matter what you pay, the feeling you get when your bike is stolen is the same.
“It’s devastating when a valued possession is taken from you and that’s why it’s so important to make sure you take all the necessary steps to keep your own bike safe.
“I’m really happy that Police Scotland has launched Pedal Protect, because not only are they taking the investigation of any stolen bike seriously, but are working hard to educate the public on how to safeguard their bikes
“Having been the victim of a bike theft myself, I know how much distress it causes and that’s why I would urge all cyclists to consider the security they currently have in place for their bikes and ask themselves, are these measures sufficient?
“Police Scotland will be promoting their Pedal Protect campaign on a number of channels, including social media, so I’ll be sharing their messaging on my streams too. I really hope this helps raise awareness on bike security and potentially stop any of my followers having their own bikes stolen.”
Your Police Survey 2020/21
A reminder that the local police survey is open throughout the year to help us identify and understand people’s opinion of their local police service, and any concerns about their safety and wellbeing in their area.
Your feedback makes sure that our approaches to policing, including how we’re managing the Coronavirus pandemic, are relevant and support the communities we serve.
We are grateful to all who participated, and continue to participate in this survey.
To access the survey please copy and paste the link below into your internet browser
https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-2020-2021/
Updates
A 30 year old man will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for vandalising a blue Ford Mondeo in Leslie Court, Perth on Monday 29th March.
A 28 year old man was charged with theft of a Volkswagen Passat from Clunie Way, Stanley on Thursday 25th March.
A 17 year old man will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal after being found responsible for a theft by housebreaking from The Pitcairngreen Inn on Tuesday 23rd March.
A 35 year old woman will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal after police officers discovered a cannabis cultivation at a property in Cluny Terrace, Aberfeldy.
During the last week 7 drivers have been found to be without insurance, 3 had no licence and 7 had no MOT.
Recent Incidents
Between 5pm, Sunday 28th and 11am, Monday 29th March, 2 flats were broken into in Leslie Court, Perth. (CR/8512/21)
Between 8pm, Sunday 28th and 7am, Monday 29th March, a black and grey Carrera Vengeance Pedal Bike was stolen from a bike rail on George Street, Perth. (CR/8534/21)
Between 7:30pm, Friday 26th and 8:40am, Saturday 27th March, red paint was thrown over a white Volkswagen Crafter parked in Appin Terrace, Perth. (CR/8535/21)
Between 11pm, Friday 26th and 11am, Saturday 27th March, a red Volkswagen Polo was damaged whilst parked in Perth Road, Scone. (CR/8392/21)
Between Friday 19th and Monday 22nd March, a window was smashed and graffiti spray painted on a door at Luncarty primary school. (CR/7968/21).
Overnight on Tuesday 23rd March, the front tyre of a white Dacia Duster was slashed whilst the vehicle was parked in Perth Road, Stanley. (CR/8143/21)
Between 5pm and 7pm, Thursday 25th March, the front passenger window of a silver Ford Fiesta was smashed in Ashgrove Road, Rattray. (8240/21)
Between 11am and 12pm, Thursday 25th March, a bag of clothing was stolen from outside a property in Queensferry Road, Muthill. (CR/8397/21)
Anyone with any information that may be useful should contact Tayside Division on 101 or any police officer, quoting the crime reference number listed at each incident. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Regards,
Graham Binnie.
Chief Inspector
Local Area Commander
Perth and Kinross
Further Information and Internet Links
As we receive reports of crime, the information is shared on https://www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk/
I would encourage you to sign up for notifications.
Guidance on how to protect your property is available via Community Watch as well as on the Police Scotland Website, just click or copy and paste the following links:-
http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-home
http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-garden-and-outbuildings
http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/rural-crime
http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/keep-your-bicycle-secure
Guidance on how to deal with and report bogus callers can be found on the Police Scotland website – http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/personal-safety/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers
For information on vehicle and personal property security please go to the Police Scotland website page; just click or copy and paste the following links:-
http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-car
http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/secure-your-valuables
Keep up to date with everything we are doing and all appeals by visiting the following sites:-
https://twitter.com/policescotland
https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotland
http://www.scotland.police.uk/
http://www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk/
Your Community Policing Teams
Locality Inspectors
North
PI Emma Bowman
Blairgowrie & Glens
Highland
Strathtay
Strathmore
Carse of Gowrie
Perth
PI Kerry Lynch
Perth City North
Perth City South
Perth City Centre
South
PI Craig Stephen
Strathearn
Strathallan
Almond & Earn
Kinross-shire
If you wish to make contact with your local community officer please use the following e-mail addresses:
Perth
TaysidePerthCityCentreCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysidePerthCityNorthCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysidePerthCitySouthCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
North
TaysideStrathmoreCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideBlairgowrieGlensCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideHighlandCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideStrathtayCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideCarseofGowrieCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
South
TaysideKinross-shireCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideStrathallanCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideAlmondEarnCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
TaysideStrathearnCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Message Sent By
Shirley Duff (Police Scotland, Public Enquiry & Support Assistant, Highland Perthshire)