Council and police to blitz bike thieves (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Council and police to blitz bike thieves

October 27, 2009 5:01 PM

Councillor Terry Stacy and Barbara Smith highlighting the importance of cycle security.

Council leader Terry Stacy and Lib Dem community safety chief Barbara Smith ordered a blitz on bike crime in the borough.

Islington's Liberal Democrat councillors have ordered a blitz on bike crime in the borough after new figures revealed that bike thieves are increasingly targeting parts of Islington.

There were 1348 bike thefts in Islington over the last year - a small increase from the year before. Although bike theft has gone down in parts of the borough - such as Finsbury Park and Clerkenwell - crime hotspots around Old Street and Angel are still attracting thieves.

The peak time for bike thefts is between 1600 and 2200.

The council, in partnership with the police, will be warning cyclists about taking security measures, including using robust chains and registering bikes online so that they can be flagged as stolen.

The council is also putting in new bike racks, which are far more secure than railings for chaining a bike. Although Islington already has more bike racks than most London boroughs (over 1800, compared to 1000 in Camden, 850 in Hackney), the council already has plans for hundred more. Very secure bike sheds have been built at some of Islington's housing estates, and more are in the pipeline.

The police are planning sting operations in hotspot areas, and will be increasing their presence at the crime hotspots.

The police will also be advertising the stolen bikes that they have recovered but have not been claimed - reuniting them with their proper owners.

Islington's Liberal Democrat community safety chief Councillor Barbara Smith said:

"As a council we want to encourage cycling. We've quadrupled the amount of bike stands in the last few years and more are going in all the time - which are much safer than chaining your bike to railings. And we have put in secure bike sheds on housing estates.

"But the new evidence that bike thieves are targeting parts of this borough is shocking and intolerable.

"The council and police intend to crack down on this, and everyone should do their bit. If you see someone stealing a bike, don't look the other way. Call 999. And all cyclists should make sure they have proper security and have registered their bike at www.immobilise.com."