Police offer free bicycle anti-theft system (From Winsford Guardian)

Police offer free bicycle anti-theft system

7:00am Sunday 10th June 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

THE LATEST theft deterrent technology will be applied to bicycles free of charge by police at the forthcoming Go West Family Fun Day in Winsford.

A brand new top of the range bike has also been donated as a riffle prize for the event, which takes place next to the BMX track, opposite Woodford Lodge School, on June 16 between 12noon-3pm.

PCSO Kevin MacShane has had the Muddy Fox BMX installed with the same anti theft protection available to fun day goers, which uses a special hard-setting lacquer to ‘tag’ ownership of the bicycle.

He explained: “Visibly marking a bike like this is a deterrent to thieves. If someone wanted to remove the ID then they would have to physically sand it off. It would be very noticeable if they were then trying to sell the bike on.”

Bike owners are encouraged to attend the event and pick an ID to have placed on their cycle.

With many modern bikes designed with future upgrades in mind, PCSO MacShane reported a new trend in bicycle thefts, whereby offenders steal to acquire parts for bicycles they already own.

“A lot of the thefts we see are people stealing bikes for parts to add to their own bikes. The best deterrent is to get your bike marked, so thieves would think twice about stealing it,” he said.

The raffle bike has been professionally serviced by Matthew Berry of Cyclone Cycles on Weaver Street.

The fun day, organised by the Glebe, Greenfields and Over communities will feature music, bouncy castles, games and entertainment.

There will be a car boot sale before the fun day between 9am-12 noon.