Lock it, tag it or lose it - advice to TT bikers

Merseyside is gearing up to welcome thousands of motorcyclists and race fans from across the world for the annual Isle of Man TT Races and Op Needle officers are reminding visitors to secure their motorcycles while travelling through the region.

The event, which runs from 25 May to 6 June, sees race fans stopping in Liverpool with their motorcycles before continuing their journey by ferry to the Isle of Man.

Visitors bring a boost to local businesses and the vibrant waterfront, as Liverpool welcomes those passing through. Officers are also carrying out extra patrols and offering guidance to help keep motorcycles safe.

Sergeant Craig Winstanley said: “You will see a visible presence of more officers in the city during the TT races, working with partners and local businesses, hotels, and car parks to ensure that CCTV and the network of communication across the city is fully utilised to keep safety at the forefront of our operation.

“In recent years, targeting offenders, providing extra attention and working with bikers and businesses has reduced offences. Last year, not a single motorbike was stolen from the city centre. We want the same outcome this year, but we are also asking bikers to make sure they leave details at the hotels about their motorcycles so that should we find any motorbikes or need to speak with an owner it is a lot easier for everyone.”

Working with partner agencies, local hotels and car parks, Operation Needle is helping ensure thousands of visitors have a safe and enjoyable stay by targeting resources where they’re needed most, particularly where motorcycles are parked while riders explore the city.

In partnership with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool BID, and with funding from the National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the Motorcycle Action Group Ltd, officers are introducing additional crime prevention measures. These include Safer S1 and S4 Pods in hotel car parks, Oxford Bike chains distributed to hotels, as well as throttle locks and SelectaDNA marking kits.

Michelle Nichols from The National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership said: “We are proud to support Operation Needle and the proactive work being carried out by Merseyside Police and partners to help keep visiting motorcyclists safe during this year’s Isle of Man TT.”

Sergeant Winstanley added: “Liverpool is a fantastic city, holding Purple Flag status as one of the safest cities in the world, and we want everyone visiting to experience this and also take sensible steps to look after their own motorcycles and report any issues or concerns to us.

“We want everyone to enjoy our great city and watch out for each other so please do contact us if you see any suspicious activity.”

Please follow our top tips for keeping your motorcycle safe:
 
- Use a good quality lock, or two.
- Always park in a well-lit area.
- If riding in a group – lock your bikes up together.
- Don’t park in the same place – vary your parking location.
- Consider using a forensic marking system.
- Look out for other bikers – if you see someone trying to steal a bike, don’t try to stop them, call 999.
- If you see any suspicious activity around a bike, call 101.
- If you have any information about motorcycle thefts or crime, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy9xRvSDwks

 
Anyone with information on bike theft is asked to speak to officers, message @MerPolCC, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.