Motorcycle thieves are avoiding St James’s Square following anti-theft initiatives, says the Motorcycle Industry Association. The Square was identified as one of four bike “hotspots” by Westminster City Council, with around 52 motorcycles or scooters stolen each year from its parking bays — around one a week.
Motorcycles, scooters and mopeds worth £1 million have been stolen from the whole of the City of Westminster from April to September 2014, a total of 191. Since September, however, none have gone from St James’s Square, following measures by Westminster City Council, the Metropolitan Police and security marking specialists Datatag. This could now be rolled out to other “hotspots”. They offered riders the chance to get their motorcycles security “tagged” on site for £50. It involves applying visible and hidden security markers that thieves and help police recover stolen vehicles. After tagging, warning signs were erected, letting thieves know that users had marked their bikes.
Steve Kenward, MIA CEO, who devised the Master Security Scheme, says Westminster’s campaign proves that marking works. “We applaud Westminster’s approach and would like to see other London councils making such an effort,” he said.
Westminster also installed ground anchors, making it difficult for thieves to lift up a motorcycle and put it in a van — a common way of stealing bikes.
