Police issue advice amid huge spike in thefts of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds in Cambridge

Police have issued a warning after a rise in the thefts of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds in Cambridge.

There were 63 reported thefts of such vehicles across Cambridgeshire between June 1 and July 5 - and 38 of those were in Cambridge, including 20 in the last week.

Officers say unsecured vehicles are being targeted as they are lightweight and easy to wheel away.

They urged owners to review how well they are locking up their motorcycles.

Det Chief Insp Alan Page said: “We’re seeing an increase in mopeds, scooters and motorbikes of all makes and models being taken from driveways, car parks and public places by simply being wheeled away.

“Thieves only need a matter of seconds to steal a moped, scooter or motorcycle, especially if they are left with poor security. We’re asking people to ‘lock, chain and cover’.”

How to keep your motorbike/scooter/moped secure

Cambridgeshire police advised:

• Lock: Use a disc lock to help secure the front brake disc.
• Chain: Use a chain lock through the back wheel and where possible secure your bike, with the lock, to an immovable object like a ground anchor or street furniture.
• Cover: Thieves often ‘shop’ for particular models. Using a cover instantly makes it less attractive to them.

Det Chief Insp Page added: “There are other measures you can take including fitting an alarm, marking parts of the bike to make them difficult for criminals to sell on, keeping your bike in a garage or shed or in a well-lit area with CCTV.”

For more advice and information visit https://bit.ly/3ablFUh.

Meanwhile, police recently spoke about the number of e-scooters being ridden illegally in Cambridge, saying they are focusing on education rather than enforcement due to the sheer numbers involved.