In the News Bike theft hot spots

[Jaws]

From the BMF:

A study by BikerRated.com and bikersunited.co.uk has found the worst places in the United Kingdom for motorcycle theft.

Using data from reports made on bikersunited.co.uk over the past year, the study found that England had the overwhelming majority of the UK’s thefts, 94.6%, despite having only 84.2% of the total population. By contrast, Northern Ireland saw just 0.3% of thefts while having 2.8% of the population.

Unsurprisingly, London accounted for 26.6% of all of England’s motorcycle thefts and just one borough, Greenwich, accounted for 3% of the entire country’s thefts. The capital, the South East (16.9%) and the North West (14.5%) accounted for more than half of all motorcycle thefts between them.

On a per capita basis, Bristol saw the highest number of thefts per resident. East Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Cheshire and East Sussex rounded out the top five.

As the BMF has previously reported, motorcycle thefts fell from a high of 34,000 in 2017 to 27,000 in 2018 but they remain a serious problem. Whether they are sold on, shipped abroad or broken down for untraceable spare parts, only a minority of stolen bikes are ever recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

 

[Cougar377]

If I remember from previous years the vast majority of bikes nicked were mopeds and 125s.

 

[Lee337]

Hardly surprising when the Police rarely bother to investigate. Where's the deterrent?

 

[andyBeaker]

Hardly surprising when the Police rarely bother to investigate. Where's the deterrent?

In fairness plod simply don't have the resources to investigate everything.

 

[Jaws]

In fairness plod simply don't have the resources to investigate everything.

Around parts of Norfolk I am afraid Lee is correct.
Unless it is a major crime they just log it and forget it

But..............

To the individual against who a crime has been perpetrated ANY crime could well be considered major
It seems, certainly in this area, if the crime is not going to make headlines, it will be sidelined

 

[andyBeaker]

Around parts of Norfolk I am afraid Lee is correct.
Unless it is a major crime they just log it and forget it

But..............

To the individual against who a crime has been perpetrated ANY crime could well be considered major
It seems, certainly in this area, if the crime is not going to make headlines, it will be sidelined

So do you really believe plod goes...'can't be bothered investigating that one'?

There is a programme running at the moment about a plod control centre in the West Country....the number of officers employed to cover a huge area is unbelievably low. From what the programme shows it looks like there is someone more or less employed full time calling victims to apologise that there hasn't been anyone available to get to them.

 

[Jaws]

So do you really believe plod goes...'can't be bothered investigating that one'?

There is a programme running at the moment about a plod control centre in the West Country....the number of officers employed to cover a huge area is unbelievably low. From what the programme shows it looks like there is someone more or less employed full time calling victims to apologise that there hasn't been anyone available to get to them.

No, they do not have a cant be bothered attitude... As you said lack of resource makes them prioritise.. Unfortunately the system used sees too many crimes down graded to a point they are often not reacted to at all.. When a local business mans Porche Cayenne went missing locally three police cars arrived and the car was recovered the same day
When a club members NEW Goldwing went missing ( £19,000 worth ) , not one bule came, even though there was possibly finger prints on the garage door etc.. bike was never recovered and the guy has given up bikes

 

[andyBeaker]

No, they do not have a cant be bothered attitude... As you said lack of resource makes them prioritise.. Unfortunately the system used sees too many crimes down graded to a point they are often not reacted to at all.. When a local business mans Porche Cayenne went missing locally three police cars arrived and the car was recovered the same day
When a club members NEW Goldwing went missing ( £19,000 worth ) , not one bule came, even though there was possibly finger prints on the garage door etc.. bike was never recovered and the guy has given up bikes

I would guess the Porsche had a tracker fitted so the chances of recovery were relatively high so understandably it would be prioritised.

Doesn't make the bike owner feel any better though.

Until plod is properly resourced I can't see any way things will change. Boris has promised 20,000 additional officers so that's a good start. But only that.

Bizarrely I had a dream last night during which Mrs B stole a small electric generator.

No need for plod involvement, I have already turned her in

 

[Cougar377]

In fairness plod simply don't have the resources to investigate everything.

So when a police force advertises for a social media officer (and it pays more than a front line constable) could someone please explain how that is good use of resources...?

 

[ogr1]

Mmmmmm.
All this media attention regarding plod being ineffective due to resources.
It's a cry for help & all the crims are fully aware whats going on...

 

[andyBeaker]

So when a police force advertises for a social media officer (and it pays more than a front line constable) could someone please explain how that is good use of resources...?

Sadly social media is part of today's world whether it is liked or not.

It's the same as all types of employment - you have to pay the market rate, as was highlighted on here the other day with RNLI chief executive salary. And that is NOT me saying that plod get a good wage - they are reasonably well paid but not enough for what they have to deal and put up with.

Plod are continually looking for volunteers to help them........anything from drivers to witness escorts to selling of seized goods.

There is currently a nice voluntary role available with Surrey plod for someone to help look after police dogs.

 

[Malone]

Well this may get some hates back, but I’d like to volunteer to assist on a scamera van. I get really het up with the attitudes of some motorists to speed limits. I’ve always treated 20/30/40/50 with respect because they are “usually” sensibly placed, but the number of times I’ve been overtaken in the car as if I’m stood still is ridiculous. And twist’n’goes and race rep mopeds are the worst offenders from the 2 wheel fraternity these days - they need culling.

 

[Jaws]

20/30/40/50 with respect because they are “usually” sensibly placed,

Yup,, But 60 is advisory as far as I am concerned !

 

[andyBeaker]

Well this may get some hates back, but I’d like to volunteer to assist on a scamera van. I get really het up with the attitudes of some motorists to speed limits. I’ve always treated 20/30/40/50 with respect because they are “usually” sensibly placed, but the number of times I’ve been overtaken in the car as if I’m stood still is ridiculous. And twist’n’goes and race rep mopeds are the worst offenders from the 2 wheel fraternity these days - they need culling.

Most councils operate mobile units manned by volunteers. Offenders don't get prosecuted but they do get a written warning.

It works well down here, speeding along the seafront is almost non existent now after a regular appearance by the volunteers and their kit.

 

[andyBeaker]

Well this may get some hates back, but I’d like to volunteer to assist on a scamera van. I get really het up with the attitudes of some motorists to speed limits. I’ve always treated 20/30/40/50 with respect because they are “usually” sensibly placed, but the number of times I’ve been overtaken in the car as if I’m stood still is ridiculous. And twist’n’goes and race rep mopeds are the worst offenders from the 2 wheel fraternity these days - they need culling.

https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/

The 'Stats' section makes for interesting and sobering reading.

Bear in mind that these sites must be visible from at least 100 metres away....

 

[Centaur]

There is an absolute obsession with speeding in the UK. I always obeyed 20,30 and 40s but as soon as I was in the open road I decided what was a safe speed. Hazards included scamera vans. if I remember correctly the 60 limit was brought in as a temporary measure to save fuel when we cocked up our relations with Iran in the early 70s.

 

[Cougar377]

Sadly social media is part of today's world whether it is liked or not.

It's the same as all types of employment - you have to pay the market rate, as was highlighted on here the other day with RNLI chief executive salary. And that is NOT me saying that plod get a good wage - they are reasonably well paid but not enough for what they have to deal and put up with.

Plod are continually looking for volunteers to help them........anything from drivers to witness escorts to selling of seized goods.

There is currently a nice voluntary role available with Surrey plod for someone to help look after police dogs.

My point wasn't whether it was value for money, it was questioning the need for a member of the police to be recruited to "do social media" on a full time basis when they are already short staffed. They even asked for degree qualifications FFS.

In my last job our "social media expert" would spend at least an hour a day doing this. As all she ever did was either retweet someone elses stuff, or post inane drivel, I objected to it at a meeting. A total waste of time that was as she had the boss convinced that we "had to have a social media presence".
When I asked for evidence that it helped the business she couldn't provide anything.

 

[andyBeaker]

My point wasn't whether it was value for money, it was questioning the need for a member of the police to be recruited to "do social media" on a full time basis when they are already short staffed. They even asked for degree qualifications FFS.

In my last job our "social media expert" would spend at least an hour a day doing this. As all she ever did was either retweet someone elses stuff, or post inane drivel, I objected to it at a meeting. A total waste of time that was as she had the boss convinced that we "had to have a social media presence".
When I asked for evidence that it helped the business she couldn't provide anything.

I understand your point of view but disagree.

Social media activity is now a key communication tool...whether it is used correctly or not is another matter!!