19 Aug Bicycle security in Hammersmith
With over 30,000 bikes stolen across London since the beginning of the pandemic, cycle security in Hammersmith remains a concern for local cyclists and our business community.
To address this, our BID-funded CCTV operator is working in partnership with the Met Police to support proactive sting operations, monitor crime hotspots and keep a watchful eye out for suspicious behaviour around unattended bicycles.
In addition to identifying live incidents and securing vital evidence, the CCTV team has also recently identified prolific bicycle thieves operating in the town centre, who have since been arrested.
To help prevent cycle theft further, Hammersmith BID continue to hold regular security bike marking events where cyclists from our business community are given their own unique barcode and online account linked to the police endorsed national database – BikeRegister.
Alongside this valuable support, here are some crime prevention tips to reduce the chances of your bike being stolen this summer:
- Always lock your bike up, even if it is in a communal corridor, garden shed or office bike space. Experienced bike thieves are known to target these areas for high value cycles.
- Take the parts that are easy to remove, with you. This includes saddles, computers, panniers etc.
- It can take thieves as little as a few seconds to cut through some locks, so use two good quality locks, one of which should be a D-lock.
- Make it difficult for bike thieves by locking your frame and both wheels together and as close as possible to a bike stand.
- Lock your bike at a secure cycle parking facility if available, preferably one that is well lit and covered by CCTV.
- Consider fitting a GPS tracker. Should your bike be tampered with or moved without your permission, the tracker sends an SMS Alert with the precise location of the bike to your App.
To find out more about the BID’s security bike marking events or to arrange a site visit to review your own bike parking facility, please contact Gordon Brockie: g.brockie@hammersmithbid.co.uk