After the programme was deemed to be a success elsewhere in the region, Operation Velo is being extended.

The number of bike thefts in Chichester, Bognor and Worthing has come down in the wake of the scheme, reports the West Sussex County Times.

Sergeant Chris Pipkin of Sussex Police explained that bike theft tends to be "opportunistic", with thieves striking when a cyclist has left their bike without locking it up securely.

Operation Velo therefore involves cycles being marked with two stickers that identify the bike and are difficult to peel off, thus acting as a deterrent to thieves.

"I hope we can encourage people to be confident that when they leave their bike and lock it up that it will be there when they get back," said Sergeant Pipkin.

As part of Operation Velo, officers have held a series of bike marking sessions from June 6th. The last of the scheduled events in the Bognor Regis area is set to take place on June 23rd.

Bookmark This:

More »

Jason Hyland, 41, of no fixed abode, was spotted taking a cycle from a rack in Manchester city centre on June 10th, and was sentenced a day later at Manchester City Magistrates' Court.

Officers spotted him riding away on a bike on Corporation Street and apprehended him. Hyland had used a pair of bolt cutters to break the bike's lock and chief superintendent Russ Jackson advised cyclists to use a secure D-lock or armoured chain to secure their bike and make it less attractive to thieves.

Owners of high-value bikes may also want to consider taking out a cycle insurance policy to protect themselves in the event of their bike being stolen or damaged.

"When at home, ensure bikes are kept in a secure garage or shed and register them on www.immobolise.com to help police return if lost or stolen," Mr Jackson advised.

Bookmark This:

More »

One thing you need to think about before packing your bags, though, is security. Caravans are very desirable and recently there are been a number of thefts up and down the country.

Obviously, if you have a good caravan insurance policy, you will be reimbursed for your loss but prevention is better than the cure.

EMKA UK has created one product which will suit those looking to make their tourer more secure.

It's a recessed door hand which can be fitted to most vehicles and comes in variety of options, with thicknesses of 24-29 mm to 36-40 mm covered, reports Caravan Times.

And if you're really security conscious, you can fit them on other doors as well, such as ones in toilets, shower rooms and changing rooms.

Having peace of mind can really be difference between enjoying your time away or not. These devices ensure you can make the most of your holiday without worrying over the security of your caravan.

Bookmark This:

More »

Jack Galvin and Laura Wilson were in the hospital for the birth of their daughter Rosie, but the camera they were using to take pictures of their newborn was stolen from a their bedside while they were bathing their new arrival, the York Press reports.

Staff at the hospital were unable to locate the purple Samsung camera, even though the ward was off limits to unauthorised visitors.

Mr Galvin said they are "devastated" to lose the camera, which contains lots of pictures of Rose.

"Pinching a camera at any time isn’t a great thing to do, but to pinch one from a maternity ward, knowing full well what would be on it, is just sickening," he remarked.

The couple said they hope the memory card is returned to them, as it is a lot more valuable to them than the camera.

Digital cameras can be a target for thieves thanks to their small size, so taking out a camera insurance policy may be a wise move if you use your camera frequently.

Bookmark This:

More »

In the past month alone, six bikes have been stolen from the Brunel West car park in the town centre, which takes the total number of cycle thefts in the area up to 18 so far this year.

It is believed the thieves are gaining access to the facility by following closely behind people with genuine access or by using tools to unlock a security door.

On top of having a good quality cycle insurance policy, PC Paul Bezzant of the Swindon Central Neighbourhood Policing Team believes the rise in thefts highlights the need for having bikes marked and registered.

"If a bike is adequately marked, it makes it much easier to identify and therefore helps reduce the risk of becoming a victim of bike theft," he told the Swindon Advertiser.

News of the thefts comes in the same week that police in Northwich urged cyclists to ensure their bikes are adequately secured if they are left unattended for any length of time.

Bookmark This:

More »

Jon Amery, of Picnic Cafe in Butter Market in the town centre, bought seven bikes for his employees to use four years ago in a bid to do his bit for the environment.

But six of the cycles have been stolen, with two of them going missing in the last two weeks.

Speaking to Get Reading, Mr Amery said he paid £500 each for the Betavus old Dutch bikes from a specialist retailer in Littlehampton.

"It was a way of people not having an excuse for being late because their bus was late," he said, adding: "A majority were used by students who chained them up outside their places."

The cafe owner pointed out the cycles were "unfashionable" so he could not see why anybody would want to steal them.

Ted Bowen, the owner of Milky's Natural Selection, told the Shropshire Star last month that his livelihood has been damaged by the theft of his specially adapted bicycle, which carries a freezer on board.

Bookmark This:

More »

Police in the area have noted rising levels of bike theft in recent weeks and have issued advice to cyclists as a result.

According to a report by the Northwich Guardian, the recent spate of cycle crimes kicked off on May 23rd when a bike was stolen from Mid Cheshire College, Hartford.

Police have been able to recover CCTV footage of the incident and are still investigating it.

Later on the same day, a cycle was stolen from outside Octagon House, Gadbrook Park in Rudheath, while further crimes have occurred at an address on Marshall Lane, Greenbank and Victoria House, Church Road.

This warning from police comes only a short time after it was revealed officers from the Mildenhall Safer Neighbourhood Team are hosting free bike marking sessions in a bid to encourage cyclists to protect their vehicles from thieves.

PCSO Becky Simpson told the Cambridge News there has been a rise in cycle crime of late.

Bookmark This:

More »

The vehicle was left in Parlaunt Road in Langley and the local authority is taking steps to have it moved, but wants to trace the owner.

Linda Corcoran, from the neighbourhood enforcement team, explained the bright pink caravan was abandoned about a fortnight ago.

"We are getting it moved but we would like to trace who it belongs to, to find out why it was dumped in the first place," she said.

The council believes that the caravan has been used as a mobile hairdressing or beauty salon and it has the name Daisy's written on it.

Anybody who has used the service is asked to call the neighbourhood enforcement team on 01753 875255 or e-mail tip-off@slough.gov.uk with information.

"This is certainly one of the least discreet vehicles I have seen abandoned," added Ms Corcoran.

If the owner of the vehicle has become the victim of a theft, they might have made a claim on their caravan insurance policy after it went missing.

Bookmark This:

More »

Thieves struck at some time on Monday June 3rd. The owner was away on that day.

Detective constable Leigh Wall from East Surrey CID told the West Sussex County Times that the theft was most likely carried out by more than one person using another vehicle.

"I would urge anyone who has any information about the theft of the caravan or knows where it is now to contact officers with information."

The caravan is a white Abbey 416 GTS Vogue. One hopes its owners are covered by a caravan insurance policy as it also contained more than £3,000 of personal possessions.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101 reference MV/13/2099.

Police in East Yorkshire recently issued security tips to caravan owners with the intention of cutting down on thefts.

These included installing alarms and using wheel locks.

Bookmark This:

More »

Called eleMMent Palazzo, it has a body made from solid gold, a giant master bedroom, a bar area, fireplace and even a rooftop terrace.

A spokesman for manufacturers Marchi Mobile said it is aimed at people who love "the extraordinary" – mainly Saudi millionaires one assumes.

"Our goal has not only been to introduce a new line of luxury vehicles – but usher in a new era. This is done by a perfect masterpiece that sets itself apart at first sight," he added.

The caravan has been compared to a private jet without wings and is likely to appeal to wealthy families and Arab Sheikhs who regularly need to travel the deserts of the Middle East.

Caravan insurance for a vehicle of such beauty will not be cheap, but if you've got this kinds of cash to splash that will be the least of your worries.

Bookmark This:

More »