New bike for Christmas? Come along to a free bike marking event

People who have received new bikes this Christmas can get them security marked and registered for free by Merseyside Police, to help deter thieves and prevent them getting stolen or lost.

Officers have joined forces with Bike Register to host bike marking events throughout January and into the new year.

Bike Register is the UK’s national bike marking and registration scheme, which helps to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and return recovered bikes to their rightful owners.

Officers from Merseyside Police will be on hand to register bikes on the national database, provide security marking and give advice on how to lock them securely to deter thieves.

PC Pippa Wilcox, Prevention Hub said: “Bikes registered through an official bike marking scheme are 83% less likely to be stolen, so it is something we highly recommend.

“Through our partnership with Bike Register we have reunited a number of stolen bikes to their rightful owners. Registering a bike helps deter thieves as it then becomes harder to sell on. It also helps identify the owner of a bike in the event of it being lost or stolen.

“If you were lucky enough to receive or gift a new bike to a loved one this Christmas, or you would like to have your existing bike marked, then please come along to one of our bike marking events.”

Upcoming bike marking events

• Friday 29 December – Sefton Park, 10AM – 2PM
• Wednesday 3 January – Edge Lane Retail Park, 10AM – 12PM
• Wednesday 3 January – Huyton Village, 10AM – 12PM
• Thursday 4 January – Halewood shops, 2PM – 4PM
• Friday 5 January – Unit 18 Newtown Gardens, 9AM – 12PM
• Friday 5 January – Monument Place, London Road, 10AM – 1PM
• Saturday 6 January – Unit 18 Newtown Gardens, 12PM – 4PM
• Saturday 6 January – Dovecot shops, 5PM – 7PM
• Saturday 6 January – Prescot Cables, 4PM – 6PM
• Sunday 7 January – Unit 18 Newtown Gardens, 12PM – 4PM

Merseyside Police has worked with Bike Register for several years but has strengthened this partnership over the last six months to tackle theft and robbery offences involving high-value bikes.

Since July 2023, more than 600 bikes have been registered at events in schools, churches, supermarkets and through establishing strong links with bike retailers.

Since launching the bike marking scheme in Wirral, there has been a significant and sustained drop in bike thefts. The scheme is now rolling out to Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley.

If you are unable to attend an event, you can register your bike at www.bikeregister.com/join. Follow Merseyside Police’s social media channels for upcoming bike marking events near you.

For more practical tips on how to protect your bike from theft, visit: Protect your bike from theft | Merseyside Police