As the festive season gets under way, the Metropolitan Police Service Safer Transport Command and Transport for London (TfL) are reminding cyclists to lock their bikes securely and follow 'the three R's' - Record, Register and Report

Record – Keep a record for yourself of the frame number, make and any other marks that can identify your bike if it is stolen.

Register – There are a number of websites where cyclists can register the details of their bikes and any distinguishing features/ frame numbers etc. The MPS have selected BikeRegister as the preferred cycle online registration service - www.bikeregister.com.
 
Report – If your bike is stolen then please make sure that you report it to the police. Reporting the theft will enable us to check databases and contact the owner once the bike is recovered.
 
In the last week over 18 people were arrested, 677 bikes were marked and registered on BikeRegister.com and 11 bikes returned to their rightful owners. This is as a result of increased activity as part of Project Cycle Ops – a partnership initiative between TfL, the police and cycling groups to tackle cycle theft from public places across the Capital using a range of tactics to crack down on cycle thieves.
 
Superintendent Stuart Trayler, Safer Transport Command, said: “We want Londoners to get on their bikes and enjoy cycling without the fear of theft, which is why we are asking people to follow our cycle theft advice. We urge cyclists in London to help protect their bikes by parking at a designated location, securely locking them and ensuring that they are cycle security marked. The Safer Transport Command offer free marking and registration events across London and details can be found here
 
Reporting crime to police and keeping information about items registered on property databases up-to-date, assists police in restoring property to their rightful owners.