Bike thefts spike in exception to drop in crime

[Aushiker]

Source: Canberra Times

Andrew

[Ross]

Man to face court over bike thefts

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A 40-year-old Higgins man will face the ACT Magistrates Court next month over the thefts of a number of bicycles.

Police will allege the man stole three bicycles on separate occasions since May this year. One of the bikes was stolen from outside Westfield Belconnen, and the other two from Acton.

Following on information received, police executed a search warrant on August 5 at the Higgins home, seizing a number of items.

The man will be summonsed to face the ACT Magistrates Court in October on charges of theft, attempt to obtain property by deception and unlawful possession of stolen property.

Investigations are continuing.

Superintendent of North District, Brett Kidner, said that over the last few years there has been an increase in bike thefts, which led police, with the ACT Government, to launch a bike anti-theft and security awareness campaign (‘Lock it, or Lose it’), earlier this year.

“In the last 18 months, only 16 per cent of bikes recovered by ACT Policing were able to be identified,” Superintendent Kidner said.

“As part of the campaign a Bike Passport was developed so bike owners can easily record the required information, such as the serial number and any unique characteristics. This information can assist us in identifying the stolen bike and return it to its rightful owner,” he said.

A copy of the Bike Passport is available on the ACT Policing and Justice and Community Safety websites.