Bike thefts on rise in Derbyshire during coronavirus lockdown

Officers are investigating 20 reports of bike thefts over the past four weeks, from homes and outside businesses in Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, the Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales and the High Peak.

In many of the incidents bikes have been left insecure on gardens – but there have been a number stolen from sheds, outside storage and bike racks.

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Here are some useful tips from police to help you keep your bicycle safe:

Never leave bicycles insecure and unattended, even for a few minutes;

Invest in good quality security, relative to the value of your bike and how expensive or difficult it would be to replace;

Lock your bike frame and wheels to something which can’t be carried away, such as an anchor, bike racks or railings;

Use two different types of lock to make it more difficult for them to be cut, and will slow down or deter an opportunist thief, such as a chain and D-lock combination;

At home, ensure your sheds, outbuildings and garages are secure. Consider installing ground anchors if you have a concrete floor or look for security rated products specifically for your type of storage;

Register your bike at bikeregister.com, a national, police approved database which can help us trace and find your bike if it is stolen and recovered.

If you have any information, or if you notice any suspicious activity, please get in touch on one of the following non-emergency contact methods.