Published: Monday, 29th January 2024
Cannock Chase Council and Cannock Police are joining forces to re-launch popular bike marking events, to help prevent them being stolen.
The initiative, which has been arranged in partnership with the Council’s Community Safety Team and Cannock Chase Local Policing Team, will give bike owners the opportunity to have their bicycle uniquely ‘marked’ and registered for free on the National Bike Register Scheme. This is a highly effective visible deterrent and makes people’s bikes less attractive to thieves, as well as increasing their chances of being recovered if stolen. Crime prevention advice will also be provided on these days.
The events will take place on the following days, no booking is required.
Thursday 8 February 10am – 2pm Birches Valley Forest Centre
Thursday 7 March 3pm – 6pm Ravenhill Park, Rugeley
Thursday 28 March 3pm – 6pm Asda Superstore, Avon Road, Cannock
Councillor Jo Elson, Portfolio Leader for Community Wellbeing, said “Having a bike stolen can be devastating for cyclists, many of whom cherish their bike and may have spent large amounts of money on them. With cycling in the district being so popular, it naturally presents more opportunities for thieves. This event is a great opportunity to help prevent this sort of theft, and I encourage people to take advantage of the bike-marking and the crime prevention advice that will be provided.”
Inspector Chris Moss, Deputy Local Policing Commander said “We work hard with Cannock Council’s Community Safety Team to prevent crime, and bike marking is just one aspect of that. Having a valuable item stolen causes distress to victims, plus the cost of replacing the bike which may be that person’s only mode of transport. We want to raise awareness and help owners to protect their property. Please come and see us on one of the dates advertised.”
The initiative has been funded from the Council’s Locality Deal Fund - a fund provided by the Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office.
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said “The Locality Deal Fund is designed to give a boost to local initiatives addressing community safety-related concerns, building on the great work they are already doing.
“I’m delighted to see the fund being used to support this bike marking scheme, which will not only help to prevent thefts of bikes, but also make it easier to return stolen bikes to their owners.”
A similar event was delivered by Cannock Police in November last year, and proved extremely popular, with 38 bikes marked and registered within four hours.
Find out more about the National Bike Register Scheme here: https://www.bikeregister.com/