City Launches Cycle Theft Awareness Campaign
[Updated with video] The City of Hamilton, in conjunction with the police and several of the island’s insurance companies, is launching an awareness campaign aimed at informing motorists about what they can do to protect their property against bike theft.
A spokesperson said, “Did you know that in 2020, an average of 42 motorbikes were stolen each month, and that the majority of them were locked?
“To combat instances of bike theft in the City, the City of Hamilton, in conjunction with the Bermuda Police Service [BPS] and several of the island’s insurance companies, is launching an awareness campaign aimed at informing motorists about what they can do to protect their property against bike theft.”
“At the City of Hamilton, we want to do what we can to help you to safeguard your property,” said City CEO Dwayne Caines. “Over the coming weeks, the public will hear and see informative commercials across social media, radio, tv and print with tips on how we can keep our City streets and car parks safe from theft.
“Vehicle theft affects us all, even if we are not the direct victims of a crime; it costs insurance companies thousands of dollars in claims each year – which drives up insurance premiums for all of us.”
“The City and the BPS recommend that cycle-owners take the following precautions:
- Ensure that you lock your bike securely and remove your keys from the ignition
- Use a secondary locking mechanism such as a disc lock or throttle lock
- Attach an alarm or tracking device
- Park in a well-lit area at night
Mr. Caines added: “The City has had numerous brainstorming meetings with relevant stakeholders regarding the issue of bike theft in the City and are looking at additional protection measures such as installing special bike-locking bars in some of the parking spots and increasing signage in City car parks. Additionally, we are looking to upgrade our CCTV operations in the City Hall car park with the installation of new cameras; a whole new system will be up and running in short order.”
“At CG Insurance, we encourage persons to take all necessary precautions when leaving their vehicles unattended,” said Claims Manager for CG Insurance Juanita Coley. “Examples of such would be to park in well-lit areas wherever possible and to make use of additional locking mechanisms. These steps can deter thieves which can help to avoid the inconvenience caused by burglaries.”
“The below are the most frequently stolen bikes in Bermuda:
- Make: Honda
- Model: SH 125, Vario, Vision, Click
- Make: Yamaha
- Model: GT 125, FZN, Elegance, Nouvo, NVX
- Make: Sym
- Model: HD 125, HD2 125, Symphony
A BPS spokesperson said, “In 2020, a total of 503 cycles were reported stolen across the island and numbers are tracking that way for 2021. To give a ‘pre-Covid’ comparison, this number was 618 bikes in 2019. Bike crime primarily happens on Saturdays and overnight so we would recommend motorists park in well-lit and high traffic areas at night. Additionally, we strongly encourage the use of a secondary locking mechanism.”
“To report a stolen bike or suspicious activity, call the Bermuda Police Service at 295-0011 or 211.
“The public are reminded that, according to Section 342 of The Criminal Code Act 1907 [Taking Motor Vehicle or Other Conveyance without Authority], anyone found guilty of this offence shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for two years or both.
“What should you do if your bike has been stolen?
- “Call police immediately on 295-0011 or 211 [or 911 depending on circumstances]. Have your TCD registration paper available when you call.
- “Provide the police with the following details: registration number [plate], color, make & model, engine & frame number, insurance, value of cycle, any custom details, as well as the location and time it was stolen. These details are very important because even once a bike is stripped down, your bike’s parts can still be identified.
- “Contact your insurance company and notify them that your cycle has been stolen and reported to police. Supply them with the Event or Crime number of your police report.
- “Police will require you to provide a statement in the event that your cycle is recovered.
- “The insurance company will allow a two-week period for any recovery and may require you to hand in the keys to your vehicle.”
I remember back around ’72 when a school friend has their Moby that was locked and stored on his property stolen.
Bike theft was so rare then that it was front page news and shocked the public , it was talked about for weeks.
Now we have these absolutely shameful numbers and no-one bats an eye , that is until it happens to them and the police simply say ‘go to your insurance company , kiss the bike goodbye’ .
42 bikes per month?? Are the Police doing work to catch thieves besides giving out parking tickets to the public!?
My bike was stolen in broad daylight in front of my house. A construction crew on the roof next door all witnessed it and identified, by name, the truck, driver, and the second man who lifted my bike into their truck. I immediately called the police and reported all this, including the names of the two thieves and the five witnesses. When I called back a week later, it turned out the officer I’d reported to hadn’t put my report into the system- there was no record of it anywhere! And the police shrugged their shoulders and did nothing.
Thieves will keep stealing bikes as long as they know the police will do nothing about it.
Absolutely shocking !
My neighbor had his bike stolen 2 years ago. Thanks to vigilant people on social media he got it back 3 days later without any intervention whatsoever from the police and then the police treated him in a most condescending manner when he reported it found.
Now what happens ? As soon as there’s a major incident the police are appealing to the public for their help .
Unfortunately the Police only do jobs that create income . A stolen bike does nothing to get funds and just cuts into their budget .
This is the Island we live in now , very few give a crap .
I witnessed a Policeman on his Police bike at the base of Spurling Hill while i was driving into the city , talking to a man laughing , probably a friend of his . Then a bike came racing past all the traffic in the middle of the road speeding into the city . The Police officer on the bike looked at him then went back to his conversation .
Is there any wonder why all this is happening ??
*Is there any wonder why all this is happening ??*
We have devolved into a society that doesn’t like to ‘punish its own’ .