More than £8,000 worth of suspected stolen bikes have been seized following a proactive operation by Dorset Police in partnership with a bike hire company.
A day of action was conducted on Wednesday 26 October 2022 that saw officers work with Beryl following a number of reports of bike thefts in the town centre.
During the day officers were able use mobile technology to recover eight bicycles and one e-scooter, with a total estimated combined value of £8,400, that were believed to have been stolen.
Three local teenagers are assisting officers with their enquiries as investigations into the suspected thefts continue.
Police Constable Chris Lee, of Bournemouth police, said: “We recognise the considerable inconvenience and financial impact bike thefts have on victims and we have been working on a number of initiatives to help reduce the number of offences being committed in the town and to recover stolen property.
“This day of action saw us work with a partner in the private sector to utilise the latest technology and resulted in a significant number of suspected stolen items being recovered. I am grateful to Beryl for the assistance they have provided.
“We will continue to work with a range of partners to help protect our communities and their property.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to urge people to do their bit to make life difficult for potential thieves by ensuring their bikes are left secure at all times, preferably with a proper ‘D’ lock and to consider additional security such as tracking technology. I would also urge anyone who is the victim of a bike theft to please report it to us.”
Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “Safety is paramount to us, which is why we work closely with local forces such as Dorset Police to ensure our schemes remain as safe as possible for customers and pedestrians.
“By making our schemes safe and removing barriers to sustainable travel options, we aim to inspire more people to take them up and help reduce road congestion while improving air quality and public health.
“Where appropriate, we will work with Dorset Police to help victims of bike theft get back on two wheels by providing free minutes for them to use our scheme. Just email support@beryl.cc with a crime reference number.”