Top tips for cyclists this Christmas

Many people – particularly youngsters – will be hoping Father Christmas might deliver a new bike for Christmas.

And British Transport Police wants to make sure your prized possession doesn’t become somebody else’s Christmas gift.

BTP and rail companies work throughout the year to limit opportunities for cycle thieves who think nothing of trawling stations across the North West looking for easy targets.

During the past year BTP has run several operations targeting cycle thieves and has done a lot of work, with rail companies, to improve security at stations.

Detective Inspector Andrea Rainey said: “Despite this work there are still some thieves who are willing to steal bikes to sell on to third parties to make a profit.

“And it is a fact that the thieves will actively target those bikes which are not securely fastened or are in less secure areas of stations.”

British Transport Police has six tips for keeping cycles safe this Christmas: 

• Always leave your bike in a well-lit area.
• Where possible use bike racks provided by the station
• Always use a good quality, sturdy lock
• If cycle racks aren’t available, lock your bike to a permanent structure
• Always lock your bike in two places, through the frame and wheels
• Make sure your bike is clearly marked as belonging to you either using a stamp or ultra-violet marking pen 

DI Rainey added: “Of course there can be no guarantees when it comes to thwarting thieves, but, by following this advice, cyclists can make life more difficult for criminals.

“Where crimes do occur people can be assured that BTP will do everything possible to trace offenders, put them before the courts and return recovered property to its rightful owners.”