Nottinghamshire Police has been holding free bike-marking events at schools, colleges and universities following a spate of thefts.
Pupils and students have been able to have their bicycles marked for free and then registered with the national BikeRegister database.
The markings make it easier for the police to reunite people with their bikes should they be stolen, whilst also deterring thieves.
Research suggests cyclists are 83% more likely to have their bike stolen if it is not BikeRegister marked.
Nottinghamshire Police has held a host of free bike-marking events following a spate of thefts in the Lenton area, with students often the target.
Among the most recent events was at the University of Nottingham on Thursday (12 October), at its University Park campus.
Other sessions have taken place at Nottingham College, Mapperley Plains School and Sutherland House School.
Yvonne Pickersgill, of Nottinghamshire Police’s crime prevention team, said:
“The sessions have been really successful – we’ve marked over 100 bikes in the past week alone.
“Having your bike stolen is an upsetting experience and that’s why we’re teaming up with local schools, colleagues and universities to provide pupils and students with free BikeRegister kits.
“Each kit contains deterrent warning stickers, which are a simple but essential part of the security marking process.
“Not only do these stickers deter thieves, it means that if a bike is stolen and then recovered, police can check the marking and log onto the database to quickly verify the true owner and reunite them with their bike.
“As part of the scheme, each bike owner is also issued with a personal logbook as proof of ownership.”
Among those taking advantage of the scheme at the University Park campus on Friday was Benjamin Buck, a third-year Economics student.
He said:
“My housemate had his bike stolen in first-year so I know it does happen. Hopefully the sticker I’ve had put on today will act as a deterrent to thieves.
“If the bike ever is stolen and later located, it’s good to know the police will be able to return it to me.”
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