More than 500,000 bikes are stolen annually in the UK and only five per cent are returned to their owners.
"Gone in 71 seconds" is the figure quoted by Halifax Building Society as the average time a thief needs to steal a locked bike. Experience locally confirms the accuracy of that statement.
Across Ipswich, partnerships are working to reduce bike crime, invest in new technology and promote safety and security.
The Community Safety Team at Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk Police are encouraging residents to consider fitting radio frequency transponders to their bikes. These miniature tags are hidden in the bike frame and have a unique code number. This identifies the bike (and owners' details) which are registered on a 24-hour database accessed by all UK Police forces.
Bikes are not just at risk in the town centre. Insecure garages and garden sheds provide thieves with ideal opportunities. So, how safe is your bike, even when it is locked? Is your garden shed or garage properly secured?
Promoting security and safety is the theme of a special roadshow at Whitton Sports Centre between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 23rd February. This is the first in a series of similar events which will be held across Ipswich during the first half of 2008.
The first 50 bike owners who attend the Whitton session will have transponders (worth £12) fitted free of charge.
A local bike dealer will be on hand to provide professional advice on bike safety and a range of crime prevention practitioners will answer questions about securing garden sheds, garages and bikes.