Police Urge Motorcycle Owners To Be Aware After Thefts In Staveley

Motorcycle and scooter owners are being reminding to be security conscious after a number of thefts and attempted thefts in the Staveley area. Police are asking riders to consider using security devices as well as following simple precautions to help keep their vehicles safe and are also increasing patrols in the affected areas. Sometime between midnight and 5am on Saturday, February 25th, a motorbike was stolen from the garden of a house on Plover Way, Calow. It was later found abandoned. A bike was also stolen from the drive of a house on Laburnum Street, Hollingwood between 8pm on Thursday, February 23rd and 5.30am on Friday, February 24th. It was found abandoned by police nearby. Thieves also attempted to steal scooters from Bevan Drive, Inkersall, and Fern Avenue and Middlecroft Road South, Staveley during the last week.  Sergeant Dave Nash, who is in charge of neighbourhood policing acrossStaveley, said: "Motorcycles can be an easy target for thieves if they are not secured as they can be wheeled away or bundled into a van in seconds. "Motorcycles are twice as likely to be stolen as cars, so it's important to keep them safe by taking steps to protect them and by choosing the right security devices." There are a number of mechanical and electronic security devices available to help make your bike more secure and a few simple precautions could prevent you becoming a victim of theft: Buy an alarm, immobiliser and secondary locks like a disc lock, U-lock, chain or cable lock. Always use the steering lock. When out in public park your motorcycle where it can be seen or in spaces that have stands for you to secure your bike to. Cover your machine if possible. Whenever possible, avoid leaving your helmet, gloves or other possessions on the machine. Put security marking on as many parts of your bike as possible. The use of approved anti-theft devices such as Sold Secure orThatcham may help to reduce your insurance premium. When not using your motorbike remember to use your security devices and, if possible, use a garage and consider using ground anchors. If you have information about the thefts contact Derbyshire police on 101 orCrimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. (Reproduced from the Chesterfield Post 2nd March 2012) Gardien Comment:  The best solution is to store your vehicle in a secure steel shed since the majority of thefts take place around people's homes. Specialist motor bike sheds can be viewed at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/secure-motorbike-sheds.aspx